If you're looking for the perfect Bank Holiday watch, Sam Claflin's 8-part period drama The Count of Monte Cristo is currently streaming for free. Adapted from Alexandre Dumas' 1846 novel of the same name, the series was highly acclaimed following its release in 2024.
All eight episodes of the miniseries are availiable to stream on UKTV’s U service, having first aired on Channel 4.
The series' synopsis reads: "Falsely accused of treason and imprisoned, Edmond Dantes (Sam Claflin) escapes and assumes the identity of a wealthy count on his quest for revenge."
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Alongside Clafin, The Count of Monte Cristo also stars Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Ana Girardot, Blake Ritson, Karla-Simone Spence, Lino Guanciale, Michele Riondino, and Jeremy Irons.
While Dumas' novel has been adapted many times on both the small and big screen, fans have praised the 2024 version as the "definitive" adaptation.
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On IMDB it currently holds a rating of 7.8 out of 10, with one user writing: "Out of ALL of the versions of this wonderful tale of abstract revenge; this series happens to be the most wonderful of all."
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Another added: "This series is outstanding in every respect. Certainly, one of the best adaptations of Dumas' book that I have seen in my 61 years. The fact that it's an 8-part miniseries gives the production time to properly flesh out the characters and various plot strands."
A third wrote: "As someone who grew up reading The Count of Monte Cristo, I was thrilled to see how this mini-series reimagines the timeless story in such a compelling and modern way.
"It captures the essence of the original-revenge, justice, and redemption-while weaving in fresh twists that keep you hooked from start to finish."
The Count of Monte Cristo is now streaming on U.
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Stephanie is a freelance news writer, who previously covered WWE and AEW for Digital Spy.
After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she studied journalism at Birkbeck University.
Outside of her work at Digital Spy, she writes about pop culture, with a special focus towards Irish media and how it intersects with politics.
You can read more of her work on her Substack page.
