Photos: Courtesy of Slim 80 Days / Federation Entertainment / Peu Communications / ZDF / Be-FILMS / RTBF (Télévision belge) 2021
David Tennant as Phileas Fogg
A Q&A with Around the World in 80 Days star David Tennant O
n Sunday, January 2 at 7:00 pm, WTTW premieres a new adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic adventure story Around the World in 80 Days. The series stars David Tennant as the hapless Phileas Fogg, rushing to set a world record. Tennant reflects on the series, its differences from its source material, and amusing experiences on set.
many ways to Jules Verne’s original version. What Ashley has done is that he’s created a trio who are an addition to the original source material. They work really well and send you into this extraordinary adventure.
What was it about Ashley Pharoah’s scripts and this version of the story that made you want to get on board?
TENNANT: One of the things that Ashley has introduced into the story is a backstory for Fogg where he chose not to go on an adventure once before because he was scared. In that moment he also wrote off his chance for romance and happiness. These things all come together as something that Fogg will try and conquer. He begins his journey with a slight naiveté. Bit by bit, very slow-
DAVID TENNANT: The first episode is a real mission statement for what the series is going to be. It’s very exciting. The characters are very much Ashley’s version of those characters; they’re quite different in 4
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How does your character, Phileas Fogg, develop as the adventure progresses?
ly over the course of our story, we see him find himself and his inner strength and who he has the potential to be. That also helps him to revisit the loneliness and the sadness from earlier in his life, and to try and put that to rest a little bit and find some self-respect and dignity going forward. How does Fogg’s relationship with fellow traveler Passepartout evolve? TENNANT: Passepartout becomes Fogg’s valet on his journey. There’s not really a particular exhaustive interview process; it all happens slightly by accident that they are thrust together on this journey. Luckily for Fogg, Passepartout is resourceful and has a dash of courage and anarchy that Fogg
