The Count of Monte Cristo on Masterpiece PBS: Everything You Need to Know Before You Watch
If you have been seeing buzz about The Count of Monte Cristo on Masterpiece and wondering whether it is worth your time, we are here to tell you: absolutely yes. And we would know, because we are watching every single episode and reviewing it weekly right here on Girls Gone Hallmark. Here is everything you need to know before you tune in.
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How We Discovered This Series
It started with a Hallmark movie. While watching The Way to You, the story of The Count of Monte Cristo came up in conversation, and our curiosity was officially piqued. Then a thoughtful listener reached out to point out that a brand new PBS Masterpiece adaptation was premiering at what felt like the most serendipitous possible moment. Since we’re highly suggestible, we were all in on this idea!
What Is The Count of Monte Cristo?
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the most beloved and widely adapted novels in literary history. Written by Alexandre Dumas, the author behind The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask, it was first published in 1844 and became one of the most popular books in all of Europe almost immediately upon release. The story has since inspired at least twenty-nine motion pictures and several television series, which tells you everything you need to know about how enduring and compelling this story really is.
Courtesy of MASTERPIECE and Mediawan.
At its heart, it is a story about betrayal, patience, and revenge. A young man with everything to live for has it all stripped away in an instant, and what follows is his long, methodical journey to reclaim his life and make those responsible pay for what they did.
Get the Book The Count of Monte Cristo on Amazon
What Is The Count of Monte Cristo on Masterpiece About?
The new PBS Masterpiece series brings Dumas’ classic novel to life across eight episodes. The story follows Edmond Dantès, a nineteen-year-old sailor who is falsely accused of treason and imprisoned without trial in a grim island fortress off the coast of Marseille, France. His life, his freedom, and his future are stolen from him by a trio of enemies who each had their own selfish reasons for wanting him out of the picture.
Courtesy of MASTERPIECE and Mediawan.
After years of captivity, Edmond finally escapes. He discovers a legendary hidden treasure that transforms him into one of the wealthiest men in the world. Under the new identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, he sets his sights on the men who wronged him, infiltrating their social circles and dismantling their lives one by one. But revenge, as it turns out, is never as clean or as simple as it seems.
Who Stars in The Count of Monte Cristo on Masterpiece?
Sam Claflin leads the cast as Edmond Dantès. You may recognize him from Daisy Jones and the Six, where he played the complicated and magnetic Billy Dunne. He brings that same brooding intensity to this role, and watching him transform from a hopeful young sailor into the calculating Count is a big part of what makes this series so compelling. The cast also includes his beloved fiancée Mercedes, the imprisoned priest who becomes his unlikely mentor, and the three men whose betrayal sets the entire story in motion.
When Does It Premiere and How Many Episodes Are There?
The series premieres on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 10 PM on PBS, and runs for eight episodes. New episodes air weekly on Sundays at 10 PM.
Here is the full episode schedule:
- Episode 1 “The Letter” Sunday, March 22
- Episode 2 “The Castle” Sunday, March 29
- Episode 3 “The Treasure” Sunday, April 5
- Episode 4 “The Red Room” Sunday, April 12
- Episode 5 “The Ball” Sunday, April 19
- Episode 6 “Providence” Sunday, April 26
- Episode 7 “The Duel” Sunday, May 3
- Episode 8 “The Last Two” Sunday, May 10
How to Watch The Count of Monte Cristo on Masterpiece
There are several ways to watch.
- The series airs on your local PBS station on Sunday nights at 10 PM.
- Stream it for free through the PBS app or on PBS.org. Episodes will be available for free streaming for 14 days after the air date.
- If you want to get ahead of the weekly schedule, WPBS Passport members can binge all eight episodes right now. Passport is a PBS member benefit that gives you extended on-demand access to PBS shows, films, and specials.
Sign up for PBS Passport Here
Follow Our Weekly Reviews on Girls Gone Hallmark
Starting Thursday, March 26th, we will be posting a new episode review every Thursday throughout the season. Our coverage kicks off just days after the premiere, so you will always have a place to come and process your feelings, your theories, and your thoughts on whatever Edmond Dantès just did.
Whether you are a longtime fan of the Dumas novel, a devoted Sam Claflin follower, or someone who stumbled onto this show the same way we did, through a Hallmark movie and a little bit of fate, we would love for you to watch along with us. Bookmark this page, subscribe to the podcast, and come back every Thursday for our latest review. This one is going to be good.
More From Girls Gone Hallmark
If you love a series that will make you think and keep you guessing about what’s to come, we recommend our coverage of a few series on Hallmark and beyond!
- The Way Home – We’ve extensively covered this series and the first three seasons are streaming on Netflix. Season four is coming to Hallmark in April, 2026.
- Ripple – Originally destined for Hallmark, this series made its home on Netflix. We reviewed each episode and remain hopeful for a season 2 renewal.
We’re Your New Hallmark Besties
Hey there! We’re Girls Gone Hallmark! Megan’s a longtime Hallmark movie fan, while Wendy – well, she used to be a Hallmark hater. Now, we’ve teamed up to share our (often very different!) takes on these films. Get ready for some lively, fun-filled conversations!
Check out the library of Hallmark movies we’ve reviewed!
