If you’re looking for details on a Gentleman in Moscow movie (it’s actually a limited series) or want to know what’s going on with the Kenneth Branaugh’s A Gentleman in Moscow series adaptation, here’s what we know:
What’s it about?
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is a work of historical fiction novel set in Moscow in 1922. After the Russian Revolution when the Bolsheviks take control, Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov is spared from death due to poem he wrote when he was younger indicating his revolutionary sympathies, but he’s placed under house arrest inside the Metropol Hotel.
The novel was published on September 6, 2016 by Viking.
See the Full Summary and Review of A Gentleman in Moscow on The Bibliofile.
What format will it be? Is A Gentleman in Moscow planned as a Movie or a Series?
It’s planned as a limited series, to be around 16 hours in length in total, likely to be aired on Apple+.
It was previously reported (by author Amor Towles) that it was to be around 6-8 hours total, but it looks like that turned out not to be feasible given the amount of material to be covered.
From Towles: “I was adamant it not become a feature film. There was a lot of interest in making a feature film, but I said we can’t do it. We started with a six-hour plan – Apple with its new streaming service is producing it – and they were like, six is not enough. We could go 12, 14, or 16. We will do the story of the novel in 16 hours. When and if it happens, that’s tough. With Hollywood you never know until the last minute, but they are writing the screenplay right now. Everyone is signed on contractually, so it should happen.”
Who’s behind it?
Apple is attached as a producer, so it looks like this is headed for their streaming service. Carolyn Newman of Entertainment One, a Canadian production company, acquired the film rights to A Gentleman in Moscow in August 2017.
In 2018, it was announced that Kenneth Branaugh had become attached to the project to produce the series along with Entertainment One as well as star in it. Branaugh has other book to film projects in the works as well, as he also recently directed and stars in Death on the Nile as Hercule Poirot, which is expected to be released in 2020.
Tom Harper will direct the series. Harper previously directed Peaky Blinders and the BBC TV mini-series War & Peace (2016), which is also set in Russia.
From Tom Harper’s 2016 War & Peace BBC Series
The international rights for the Gentleman in Moscow screen adaptation reside with Entertainment One as well.
Who’s in the cast?
Kenneth Branaugh will produce and star in the series as Count Alexander Rostov. Additional casting details have not yet been announced.
I'm thrilled to announce that Kenneth Branagh has signed on to star in the TV adaptation of A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW to be directed by Tom Harper @tomharps. Up the stairs of the Metropol he'll go – two steps at a time, as has been his habit since the academy! pic.twitter.com/wBM3JmxvXc
— amor towles (@amortowles) April 3, 2018
When will it be released?
Currently unknown.
Is there a trailer or teaser available?
Not yet! Stay tuned.
A Gentleman in Moscow Movie / Series Development Timeline
September 6, 2016 A Gentleman in Moscow (novel) is released by Viking, a division of Penguin Random House in North America.
August 18, 2017 A Gentleman is Moscow is optioned to Entertainment One, to be developed as a limited series.
April 3, 2018 The treatment (a detailed outline of the book and major scenes, not quite a script but typically the pre-cursor to one) for The Gentleman in Moscow adaptation is noted to have been completed.
April 3, 2018 Deadline reports that Kenneth Branaugh is set to produce and star in the A Gentleman in Moscow adaptation.
July 13, 2019 Amor Towles notes in a talk that he’s recently returned from London working on the development of the A Gentleman in Moscow screen adaptation.
October 9, 2019 Amor Towles offered more details on the project at a talk in Jacksonville, Florida. He mentions Apple as the streaming service attached to the project, among other details.
The book was FANTASTIC! I can’t wait to see the screen adaptation!
Brilliant book. I am really looking forward to the TV series.
You have to be patient with this book. If you stay with it til the end you will appreciate the great narrative the author weaves between history and fiction.
I’ve been waiting, and waiting, and waiting.
I have concerns with Kenneth Branaugh being involved. He seems to have too many irons in the fire all the time.
I have not seen one update on the movie since mid 2019. That’s almost two years ago!
Please. I’m an old lady. I’d like to see this as a movie or TV series before I die.
Plus, since when was Kenneth B 6ft 3??
Wrong guy for the part!!!
COVID-19 certainly didn’t help.
Just finished the book, being so ehilirated that I will order “Rules of Civility” and pre-order “The Lincoln Highway”, too. Nice to know that Kenneth Branagh is involved in the TV adaptation.
I just finished reading this exquisite book—a blend of the detailed description of life in Russia that reminds me of Tolstoy’s “Ann Karinina” and the humorous description of events and discussions of Mark Twain. It is an intricately-crafted story that reminded me that I need to pay more attention to details as I read. Towles has usurped the position of my favorite author, thereby deposing the likes of Rowling and Clancy! I can’t wait to see if the series does justice to this excellent story.
Very happy to hear . And yes, the story is so wonderfully told and detailed , with so many memories and characters that overlap, impossible to do it justice within a typical 2hr. or so movie.
Again – it’s been a delight to read such wonderful dialogue and clever turn of phrase.
The television adaptation I have no doubt become an instant and favorite classic .
Hurry things up ! Would help us all get through another restricted winter .
Just finished the book for a second time. First time I read it two years ago I did not want it to end! I am enamored with the character of Count Rostov and would love to see it as a mini series/ or a movie. I personally think Benedict Cumberbatch would be a brilliant Count Rostov!
Yes agreed! After starting and stopping several times pre-COVID, I started it again just a few days ago and couldn’t put it down! I think I’ll start at the beginning again to enjoy it again!. Every scene and detail was a wonderful experience.
I love your suggestion of who should play the role of the Count! Perfect!!
So has the production been affected by Covid?
Loved loved loved the book. Branagh wrong wrong wrong for the part.
I think UK actor Toby Stephens is perfect for the role of Count Rostov