‘Around The World In 80 Days’ producers Slim Film & Federation prep second Verne drama

Around The World In 80 Days

Around The World In 80 Days producers Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment are linking up again on another Jules Verne adaptation.

The two companies, which have also confirmed a second season of Around The World In 80 Days, are in advanced development on Journey To The Centre Of The Earth.

It will be produced by Simon Crawford Collins for Slim Film + Television and Lionel Uzan for Federation, with Ashley Pharoah (Around The World In 80 Days, Life On Mars) showrunning.

The story tracks an adventurous geology professor who chances upon a manuscript in which a 16th-Century explorer claims to have found a route to the earth’s core.

The professor then leads a life-threatening expedition that will unearth secrets about the origins of humanity and its future.

Crawford Collins said: “We have loved working on the sequel to Around the World in 80 Days and now we are excited to also bring Ashley’s trademark blend of humour and emotion to Journey To The Centre Of The Earth.

“Ashley has developed an ensemble of exciting new and updated characters to bring a fresh and modern take to another of Jules Verne’s beloved novels.”

Uzan added: “Working hand-in-hand on Around the World in 80 Days has been an inspiring experience for us all, and fresh-off this first globe-trotting odyssey together, it only seemed natural that our next journey would bring us to the innermost depths of our planet and its many secrets through this ever-more relevant story.”

Around The World In 80 Days (8 x 52 minutes) stars David Tennant and Ibrahim Koma was ordered by European Alliance broadcasters France Télévisions, Germany’s ZDF and Rai in Italy. It has also been acquired by Masterpiece PBS, RTBF and BBC from Federation, which sells globally.