Production is underway on The Countess of Monte Cristo, an eight-part period drama co-produced by TF1 and Netflix shooting in the Czech Republic and Malta. The series, a feminist reimagining of Alexandre Dumas’s classic, follows Mercédès Herrera as she seeks revenge after a betrayal that changes her life forever.
Audrey Fleurot, known for her role in the French hit series HPI, is not only the lead but also a producer through her company Bahia Blanca. She told TF1 that her involvement spans the entire project, calling it “my baby,” adding that the series allows her to move on from her HPI character with creative control.
Set in Marseille in 1815, The Countess of Monte Cristo stars Fleurot as Mercédès, alongside a cast including Simon Ehrlacher, Zabou Breitman, Kad Merad, Thierry Godard, Éric Elmosnino, and Olivia Côte. The story follows Mercédès’ relentless quest for revenge after her lover Edmond Dantès is framed and killed, and she herself is imprisoned.
International collaboration for Netflix
The series is directed by Djibril Glissant, who previously worked with Fleurot on HPI, and Leonardo D’Antoni, known for his work on Narcos. Filming is taking place in Malta and the Czech Republic, with local locations providing period-appropriate locations and production infrastructure.
TF1 is backing the project in association with Netflix, reflecting the broader partnership established by the two companies in 2025 that aims to bring TF1’s programming to a global streaming audience.
Producers include Anthony Lancret, Pierre Laugier, and Lola Manai of Itinéraire Productions, with Fleurot and Glissant producing under Bahia Blanca. The scripts are written by Gaïa Guasti, Glissant, Clément Peny, and Florian Spitzer, promising a fresh interpretation of Dumas’ story focused on female agency and revenge.
A modern take on a classic story
The Countess of Monte Cristo reinvents Dumas’ narrative through the perspective of Mercédès, a woman driven by love and vengeance. Unlike previous adaptations, which often centered on Edmond Dantès’ journey, this series shifts focus to Mercédès’ struggles, including her imprisonment and determination to confront those who betrayed her.
This perspective aligns with a growing trend in European television to revisit classic material with contemporary sensibilities and stronger female leads. The series is also part of a recent resurgence of interest in The Count of Monte Cristo, following the 2024 French box office hit adaptation by Alexandre de La Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte, which sold over nine million tickets.
By situating part of the production in the Czech Republic, known for its historic architecture and cost-effective facilities, the producers can authentically recreate early 19th-century Marseille while benefiting from the country’s established production services.
With production now underway, The Countess of Monte Cristo joins a slate of recent Netflix period dramas shooting in Prague, which also include The Empress and The Age of Innocence.
