PBS Masterpiece’s ‘Maigret’ Finds UK Home

BBC Studios-owned UKTV has taken both seasons of the Georges Simenon adaptation for its U&Drama network plus U streaming service, coming as part of a 114-hour content deal with Banijay Rights.

Produced by Wolf Hall maker Playground in association with Banijay Rights, the series stars Benjamin Wainwright as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret, Stefanie Martini as Madame Louise Maigret and Blake Harrison as Joseph Torrence. It reinvents one of the world’s most recognizable crime brands, following the chief inspector and his team of loyal, maverick detectives solving crimes in Paris. It has been adapted plenty down the years including for a 2016 ITV series starring Rowan Atkinson.

The deal between UKTV and Banijay Rights is also for the second season of A Remarkable Place to Die, Agatha & The Midnight Murders, Ambulance (Series 12 and 13), Lost and Found in the Lakes, Saving Lives at Sea (Series 9 and 10) and Tribe with Bruce Parry.

Karin Marelle, Global Head of Acquisitions, UKTV and BBC Studios, said: “Maigret is one of the most recognisable detective brands in the world, so we are delighted to be bringing this brand-new adaptation to viewers on U and U&DRAMA.”

The news comes ahead of next week’s MIPCOM Cannes, where Banijay Rights executives will be out in force with a new-look catalog incorporating All3Media International’s fare.

Maigret is a Playground co-production for Masterpiece in association with Banijay Rights, Windhover Films, and Georges Simenon Limited. Executive producers are Hilary Strong and Patrick Harbinson, with David Stern and Colin Callender for Playground. Executive producer for Masterpiece is Susanne Simpson. Executive producers for Banijay Rights are Cathy Payne and Simon Cox. The series is produced by Tim Whitby and created for television and written by Harbinson. The series is directed by Harbinson, Faye Gilbert and David Evans.