Rowan Atkinson to return as French sleuth Maigret in two more ITV films

Rowan Atkinson to return as Maigret — (Image credit: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

ITV orders another two feature-length Maigret TV films after star Rowan Atikinson was a hit in the premiere earlier this year

Rowan Atkinson will once again relight his smoking pipe when French Detective Maigret returns in two new television films on ITV.

The on-screen adaptations are based on the original novels written by best-selling author George Simenon, known as one of the greatest authors of the 20th Century.

The books follow the investigations of Parisian detective Jules Maigret, set in the French capital during the 1950s.

ITV’s controller of drama Victoria Fea said: “It’s an absolute privilege to commission two further standalone Maigret films for ITV.

“We were thrilled to welcome Rowan Atkinson to the channel as Maigret.”

“His superb performance, and the filmic execution from the production team ensured the audience greatly appreciated the first Maigret film which aired earlier this year.”

Rowan Atkinson, best known for his comedic roles in Blackadder and as Mr Bean, will return as the crime-solving investigator after becoming a hit with audiences in the first film, drawing a consolidated audience of 7.2 million.

The newly commissioned two-hour films – Night at the Crossroads, Maigret in Montmartre – will go into production this November and wrap in February 2017.

Writer Stewart Harcourt, whose previous credits include ITV hit detective dramas Agatha Christie’s Marple and Poirot, will adapt the feature-length dramas.

Jeremy Gwilt will continue to produce the films for the saga alongside Barnaby Thompson, with his previous titles including fantasy-horror box office hit Dorian Gray and British comedy St Trinian’s.

John Simenon, the son of the late crime writer, will lead as executive producer for George Simenon's Ltd.

Following the success of Maigret Sets a Trap, the next instalment Maigret’s Dead Man, adapted from the original novel Maigret Et Son Mort will screen on ITV later this year.

ITV have not yet announced when the next two films will be broadcast.