If you were a fan of the BBC's beloved detective drama, Maigret (or the ITV version that aired in 2016), you may have already heard about PBS' popular reboot over in the US. The French detective - also known as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret - officially returned to the streets of Paris (now played by Benjamin Wainwright) in perfectly revamped version of the drama - and, luckily for those of us in the UK, it's officially making its way across the pond. Hurrah!
The fictional detective, created by writer Georges Simenon, was first brought to our screens in 1960 and we followed him as he solved crimes along with his maverick team in the French capital. It's not the only time he's been on our screens, with several other adaptations having been made since then - only this time round, Wainwright has given the Parisian police chief a modern update - with his signature trench coat swapped for a wool number - and no pipe in sight.
Ahead of the rebooted Maigret arriving on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the show's return, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Maigret about?
As we mentioned, Maigret first arrived on our screens in 1960 in what became a beloved BBC series. Based on the books by Georges Simenon (of which there are a staggering 75!), we follow French police detective Jules Maigret as he solves crimes in Paris. Rupert Davies took on the titular role for the BBC adaptation, while Rowan Atkinson led the cast of an ITV reboot in 2016. As for the plot, Maigret isn’t your average detective story. Jule Maigret has innovative ways of getting into the headspace of criminals to get to the root of the mystery, through empathy and observation.
What happens in the Maigret reboot?
Expect to see the French detective in a different era – sans trademark pipe and hat, but with a much more relaxed wardrobe. The plot, according to Masterpiece PBS, finds Maigret and his team of “maverick but loyal detectives, Les Maigrets, solve a series of complex crimes in Paris. Maigret’s unconventional methods and unique sense of justice put him at odds with his superiors and the judicial system he is supposed to represent. Maigret must outwit some of Paris’s most cunning and violent criminals, while dealing with his own troubled past.”
The official synopsis continues: “The new adaptation reframes Maigret as an unconventional young detective with something to prove, a rising star in the Police Judiciaire, relentless in his investigations, with an uncanny ability to get under the skin of the criminals he is chasing and a matchless knowledge of Paris and its inhabitants. Faithfully and lovingly married to Madame Maigret, Maigret heads the elite police unit known as La Crim, responsible for investigating all serious crime in and around Paris.”
Who’s in the cast of the Maigret reboot?
The cast of the Maigret reboot includes:
- Benjamin Wainwright as Jules Maigret
- Stefanie Martini as Louise Maigret
- Nathalie Armin as Prosecutor Mathilde Kernavel
- Blake Harrison
- Reda Elazouar
- Kerrie Hayes
- Shaniqua Okwok as Janvier
- Rob Kazinsky
- Katie McGrath as Rosalie Fernand
Is there a trailer for the Maigret reboot?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for the Maigret reboot below.
Are the Maigret books any good?
Yes – they’re considered classics for a reason, having been translated into over 50 languages and praised by authors including Muriel Spark and Ernest Hemingway. Readers love Georges Simenon’s character-driven crime stories, as well as the moody Paris that the stories are set in. They’re also tightly-written and unpretentious, with Simenon giving the classic noir genre emotional depth.
How can I watch the Maigret reboot?
Maigret series 1 will premiere on U and U&Drama thiss December, while series 2 will follow in 2027. While you wait, you can watch ITV's Rowan Atkinson adaptation on ITVX.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you're in the mood for something not too heavy, we'd recommend Bookish. The series follows a 1940s bookshop owner who solves crimes, but is also harbouring another secret: he’s in a lavender marriage with Trottie (Polly Walker) who runs the wallpaper shop next door. For a series that's a little more unpredictable, we'd suggest In the Dark. The BBC drama introduces us to whip-smart yet troubled detective Helen Weeks (MyAnna Buring) who also happens to be dealing with a surprise pregnancy.