Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
No frills version of adventure classic, some violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Count of Monte Cristo
What's the Story?
THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO tells the story of Edmond Dantès, a heroic sailor who finds himself falsely imprisoned for treason on the eve of his wedding. Placed in solitary confinement, Dantès bides his time until he can find out who set him up and why.
Is It Any Good?
At its heart, Dumas' novel is a great adventure story. Yet The Count of Monte Cristo's themes are as salient today as they were in the 1840s. It begins with the political imprisonment of its hero, which recalls the McCarthy hearings of 1950s... and perhaps there are some contemporary parallels as well. The themes of fate and revenge are intertwined with Edmond Dantès' journey, and the BBC's Masterpiece is, as always, a reliable adaptor of the classics, able to balance the high drama of the action set-pieces with the moral struggle that underpins the story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the adaptation. Why do you think Masterpiece chose to make this series now? Do you think the story has anything to say about America (or Britain) in the 2020s?
Who is the title character? How does the name relate to the themes of the story? Is "The Count" a persona? If so, how does he differ from the man adopting the persona?
How does The Count of Monte Cristo explore the idea of revenge? Do you think Dumas had an opinion on revenge? What do you think the story is trying to say about it?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 22, 2026
- Cast : Sam Claflin , Ana Girardot , Jeremy Irons
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship , History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 31, 2026
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