Freddie Highmore (“The Good Doctor”) is in negotiations to star as a reimagined Edgar Allan Poe in “Edgar & Augustine,” a new prestige detective period series set in Paris during the tumultuous mid-19th century.
Gaumont (“Lupin”) will be producing for French network TF1. It will mark Highmore’s French-language acting debut, though he has worked on a French production before — he voiced Arthur in the English-language version of Luc Besson’s animated feature “Arthur and the Minimoys.” The British actor is fluent in French and has said in several interviews over the last 10 years that he’d love to be offered a part in French.
Highmore will star opposite Audrey Fleurot, one of France’s best known actors, who headlines the TF1 smash hit series “HPI” which has been remade as “High Potential” by ABC.
Developed by Elizabeth Kesses at EJK Productions for over six years, “Edgar & Augustine” is being penned by Patrick Renault who will act as showrunner on the series. Renault previously created the Peacock show “Last Light” with Matthew Fox, and served as head writer on Harlan Coben’s show “No Second Chance.”
While the exact plot remains under wraps, the fictional story of “Edgar & Augustine” will follow Poe as he travels to Paris and encounters Augustine, a quick-witted female detective inspired by the character of Auguste Dupin, the protagonist of three tales created by Poe.
“Edgar & Augustine” will start filming in spring or summer 2026. A streamer is expected to board the series as a co-financier, and Netflix is a likely candidate since it recently struck a partnership with TF1 to start carrying its five channels and on-demand content next year. TF1 and Netflix are already working together on a number of shows, including the daily soap “Tout pour la lumière.”
Gaumont has a track record with high-profile series aiming at international audiences. Alongside “Lupin,” Omar Sy’s heist show that’s now in its fourth season, the French studio also produced “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld,” about the late German designer’s rise through the world of 1970s Parisian high fashion.
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