GERMANY: Around The World In 80 Days Premieres On ZDF Tonight

David Tennant stars as as intrepid adventurer Phileus Fogg in Around The World In 80 Days, an epic eight-part series which premieres on ZDF in Germany tonight. The adaptation of the classic novel by Jules Verne which airs under the German title In 80 Tagen um die Welt also stars Ibrahim Koma as Fogg's valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as journalist Abigail Fix. German viewers will be able to watch the first four episodes of the drama back-to-back from 20.15 this evening, with the remaining episodes showing across Wednesday and Thursday nights. 

Around The World In 80 Days the series was adapted from the original novel by writers including Ashley Pharoah and Caleb Ranson. In London in 1872, English gentleman Phileas Fogg is inspired by a news story into betting that he can circle the globe in just 80 days, despite never having been abroad before. He sets off with his new valet, Jean Passepartout, and journalist Abigail Fix, who is joining him to document the journey. Other cast members include Ty Tennant, Jason Watkins, Peter Sullivan, Lindsay Duncan, Dolly Wells, Richard Wilson, Faical Elkihel, Anthony Flanagan, Gary Beadle and Giovanni Scifoni.  

The series is already airing on France 2 on Monday nights, on RTS1 in Switzerland on Tuesdays and on La Une in Belgium on Sunday nights . It is due to launch on BBC One in the UK on Sunday and on Masterpiece on PBS in the USA from 2nd January. The show will also be coming soon to Italy, South Africa and Australia. 

A second season is already being developed.