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Alexandre Dumas adaptations are rarely short on ambition, but this take on "The Count of Monte Cristo" has a little more room to breathe than most. Directed by Bille August and fronted by Sam Claflin as Edmond Dantès, the eight-part series turns one of literature’s most enduring revenge stories into glossy prestige TV. Jeremy Irons rounds out the cast as Abbé Faria, the fellow prisoner who helps set Dantès on his path.
Here's how to watch "The Count of Monte Cristo" online from anywhere with a VPN – and potentially for free.
"The Count of Monte Cristo" is available now.
• U.S. — Watch on PBS, PBS Passport, PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video
• U.K. — Channel 4
• Canada — N/A
• Australia — SBS VICELAND
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
It’s already turned plenty of heads in Europe, partly because the extended runtime lets it preserve far more of the novel’s knotty complexity than a feature-length film ever could.
The story itself is as powerful as ever. Falsely accused on the verge of marrying Mercédès, Edmond is thrown into Château d’If, where years of isolation give way to education, escape, and a meticulously plotted return as the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo.
If you’ve been holding out for the U.S. release, there’s good news: PBS Passport subscribers can already stream all eight episodes ahead of the broadcast premiere on March 22.
Here’s how to watch "The Count of Monte Cristo" online from where you are, and how to stream it abroad with a VPN.
Watch 'The Count of Monte Cristo' free in the U.K.
"The Count of Monte Cristo" is ready and available to air completely free in the U.K. on Channel 4.
All you will need is an account and all eight episodes will be yours to stream.
SBS On Demand also offer free streaming of the show in Australia.
Outside Britain? NordVPN can help unlock your usual streaming service — more on that below.
Watch 'The Count of Monte Cristo' from anywhere
Traveling and blocked from your usual streaming apps? A VPN, or virtual private network, lets your device appear to be back in your home country, so you can securely use the subscriptions you already have while abroad.
We have tested plenty of options, and NordVPN is the one Tom's Guide recommends in this format thanks to its fast, reliable connections and broad device support. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without much risk.
Watch 'The Count of Monte Cristo' in the U.S.
In the U.S., "The Count of Monte Cristo" begins airing on PBS on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 10/9c.
If you have PBS Passport, you don’t need to wait for the weekly broadcast. All eight episodes have been streaming on PBS.org and in the PBS app since March 1.
If you already use Prime Video, there’s another way to watch: the series is also available on the PBS Masterpiece channel, though that requires an additional subscription.
Outside the U.S.? Americans traveling abroad can stream the PBS drama from anywhere with a VPN like NordVPN.
Watch 'The Count of Monte Cristo' in the U.K.
In the U.K., the full series is already available to stream for free on Channel 4.
That makes the British release the easiest option for binge‑watchers, since you can watch all eight episodes right now.
If you're outside the U.K. and want to use your usual streaming access, a VPN such as NordVPN can help you sign in as normal while traveling.
Can I watch 'The Count of Monte Cristo' in Canada?
Unfortunately, it appears "The Count of Monte Cristo" isn't available to stream in Canada.
U.K. resident visiting Canada? A VPN like NordVPN can help you access the service you already use at home.
Watch 'The Count of Monte Cristo' in Australia
In Australia, current listings point to SBS On Demand as the home of "The Count of Monte Cristo".
Once again this is a completely free service so no payment is required for you to watch.
If you’re just visiting Australia, using a NordVPN will help you keep up with the series as if you were back home.
'The Count of Monte Cristo' trailer
'The Count of Monte Cristo' cast
- Sam Claflin as Edmond Dantès / The Count of Monte Cristo
- Jeremy Irons as Abbé Faria
- Ana Girardot as Mercédès Herrera
- Mikkel Boe Følsgaard as Gérard de Villefort
- Blake Ritson as Baron Danglars
- Harry Taurasi as Fernand Mondego / Count de Morcerf
- Karla-Simone Spence as Haydée
'The Count of Monte Cristo' episode guide
Episode 1, "The Letter"
Fresh from sea and on the verge of getting married, Edmond is undone by a conspiratorial letter and arrested on his wedding day.
Episode 2, "The Castle"
More than a decade into his imprisonment, Edmond befriends fellow inmate Abbé Faria, who shares both an education and the secret of a hidden treasure before he dies.
Episode 3, "The Treasure"
Edmond escapes, tracks down the treasure, and returns to find his father dead and Mercédès now married to his rival.
Episode 4, "The Red Room"
Five years later, the Count arrives in Paris and invites his old enemies to an opulent dinner, unsettling Mercédès in the process.
Episode 5, "The Ball"
At a lavish ball, Haydée exposes Fernand’s betrayal, pushing Mercédès closer to the truth about the Count.
Episode 6, "Providence"
The Count pulls the strings of Parisian high society, forcing Noirtier de Villefort to confront a buried family secret.
Episode 7, "The Duel"
After his father’s crimes in Algeria are exposed, Albert de Morcerf challenges the Count to a duel.
Episode 8, "The Last Two"
The Count’s final revenge plan comes to a head, unmasking a poisoning plot and paving the way for a long‑deferred reunion with Mercédès.
Is this the same Count of Monte Cristo as the 2024 movie?
No. This guide covers the TV miniseries starring Sam Claflin and Jeremy Irons. The separate 2024 French film stars Pierre Niney and is available to rent or buy digitally on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
Is this version faithful to the book?
By TV standards, pretty much. The eight‑episode format gives it far more room than most film adaptations, which means it can keep more of Dumas’ subplots and supporting characters in play. That said, it’s still an adaptation, so some story details and character arcs have been tweaked.
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