Kit Harington is heading back into period-drama mode. MGM+ and the BBC will premiere a four-part limited series adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” on Sunday, Sept. 6. Harington stars alongside François Civil and Mirren Mack in a story about love, sacrifice, family, revolution, and two men whose lives become dangerously tangled around the same woman. If you like prestige literary adaptations with big emotions and historical chaos, this is one to keep an eye on. Here’s everything you need to know about “A Tale of Two Cities.”

Everything you need to know about ‘A Tale of Two Cities’

When does ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ come out?

Amazon has announced that “A Tale of Two Cities” will premiere on Sunday, Sept. 6. The four-part limited series will air on MGM+ here in the United States. The first episode will air at 9 p.m. ET, and the subsequent installments will be available in the same timeslot for the remainder of the run.

Can you watch ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ for free once it starts streaming?

Probably, depending on whether MGM+ keeps its current trial offer in place. Right now, MGM+ offers a seven-day free trial, so new subscribers should be able to watch “A Tale of Two Cities” for free once it premieres, assuming that offer is still around.

After that, MGM+ costs $8 per month. The service also has no ads and includes offline downloads, which makes it a pretty easy sign-up if this is the kind of prestige drama you want to check out.

7-Day Trial

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MGM+ App

MGM+ is a premium subscription streaming service from Amazon MGM Studios that features a curated library of theatrical films, original series, and classic entertainment. It focuses on high-quality, cinematic programming with an emphasis on Hollywood movies, prestige dramas, and action-oriented storytelling.

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The service includes MGM+ Originals such as “From,” “Godfather of Harlem,” and “Billy the Kid,” along with a rotating selection of recent films and an extensive catalog of legacy titles from the MGM film library. Its lineup is designed for viewers who prefer a more curated, movie-first streaming experience rather than a broad, everything-at-once catalog.

MGM+ operates as a standalone subscription service and is available through its own app as well as via add-on channels on platforms like Prime Video, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and other major streaming devices. Subscribers can stream on-demand, with many titles available in HD and select content in 4K.

With its focus on cinematic storytelling, exclusive originals, and a streamlined catalog, MGM+ appeals to viewers looking for a premium, film-forward alternative to larger general-purpose streaming platforms.

7-Day Trial

$6.99+ / month

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Watch the trailer for ‘A Tale of Two Cities’

What is ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ about?

“A Tale of Two Cities” is set in London in 1782, when tensions are running high in the war between France and Britain. The story follows Lucie Manette, played by Mirren Mack, whose life gets turned upside down when she receives a message from Paris saying her father may still be alive after being presumed dead for almost 20 years.

That message comes from Charles Darnay, played by François Civil, an idealistic French émigré who quickly gets arrested and charged with treason. Lucie then turns to Sydney Carton, played by Kit Harington, a brilliant but unpredictable young lawyer, to help free Darnay. Her hope is that Darnay can lead her to Paris and help her find her father.

But this isn’t just a rescue story. Lucie’s connection with Darnay and Carton sets off a complicated love triangle, with both men trying to prove they’re worthy of her. The twist is that Darnay and Carton are physically alike but completely different inside, and neither one can fully escape the other. Their lives become tied together through love, marriage, murder, tragedy, and sacrifice.

Get a first look at ‘A Tale of Two Cities’

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Who stars in ‘A Tale of Two Cities’?

Kit Harington stars as Sydney Carton, the brilliant but erratic young lawyer who gets pulled into Lucie’s search for her father and her complicated relationship with Charles Darnay. Harington is obviously best known for “Game of Thrones,” but he’s also coming off “Industry,” so it’ll be fun to see him back in a big historical drama. François Civil plays Charles Darnay, the French émigré whose arrival changes Lucie’s life, while Mirren Mack plays Lucie Manette, the young woman at the center of the story.

Is ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ based on a book?

Yep, it is. “A Tale of Two Cities” is based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel of the same name, which is one of the most famous works in English literature. The book is set against the backdrop of London and Paris around the time of the French Revolution and is probably best known for its huge themes: sacrifice, injustice, political violence, family, and whether a broken person can still find redemption.

The new series is using that same core story, with Lucie Manette, Charles Darnay, and Sydney Carton at the center. And honestly, that’s the hook. You’ve got a literary classic, a four-part limited-series format, a love triangle, a political uprising, murder, and Kit Harington back to his brooding in period clothes. What more could you ask for?