French detective revived for two ITV films

Rowan Atkinson is to play French detective Jules Maigret in two two-hour films for ITV.

Set in 1950s Paris, Maigret Sets A Trap and Maigret’s Dead Man, will go into production in September 2015.

The films will be made by Ealing Studios and Maigret Productions Ltd, and written by Stewart Harcourt, whose credits include Marple.

Atkinson said: ‘I have been a devourer of the Maigret novels for many years and I’m very much looking forward to playing such an intriguing character, at work in Paris during a fascinating period in its history’.

And ITV’s director of television Peter Fincham called Maigret ‘a prestigious commission’.

With his laconic manner, heavy coat and trademark pipe, the  character of Jules Maigret first appeared in print in 1931. Georges Simenon, who wrote 75 Maigret novels, has sold around a billion books worldwide.

Published: 20 Feb 2015