Kristina Roberts
British actor Sam Claflin leaves his home for the first time in years since his reported breakup with model Cassie Amato at the Rome Film Festival last weekend. 38-year-old Sam Claflin greeted the media when he attended a photocall with his co-stars in The Count of Monte Cristo at the Rome Film Festival on Saturday, ahead of the show’s much-awaited premiere.
He stars in this new eight-part TV version of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, mainly known for his parts in The Hunger Games and Peaky Blinders. The series will be out later this year. This is a story about a young sailor imprisoned by a close friend over false accusations and later serving revenge to that guy and many other enemies after escaping.
Poised and professional, as if putting personal affairs behind him, the actor posed with fellow cast members Jeremy Irons, Gabriella Pession, Karla-Simone Spence, and Michele Riondino. Meanwhile, despite reports of his breakup, Sam himself has presented an appearance quite at ease and certainly focused on the project – one of the most touted shows at the 19th Rome Film Festival.
News broke early in the week that Claflin had broken up with Amato, 30, whom he had been dating for two years. Citing each other’s busy schedules and long distance, the reason reportedly was behind the breakout. Sources were rumored that Claflin, who last romanced Laura Haddock, separated in 2019, is now finally geared up to find love once again after the relationship he shared with Amato met its demise.
An insider to The Sun said, “It was his first proper relationship after splitting from his wife Laura, and they had a lot of fun together.” While time-dating reportedly ended on amicable terms, there’s also a feeling that their rather heavy work schedules have since split them.
Then it was off to the photocall with Claflin and the rest of the cast ready to peddle what is looking like one of the most exciting TV adaptations of the year. In the series, Dantès-as-played by Claflin-is betrayed by his so-called best friend Fernand who-falsely alleges Dantès of treason-to steal away Dantès’ sweetheart, Mercedes. Dantès is imprisoned in the notorious island fortress of Château d’If and sits there for 13 long years, wrapped in thoughts of escape and vengeance. He soon escapes, returns to the world, resumes his life as the rich Count of Monte Cristo, but with a plan to ruin those people’s lives who had wronged him.
A show that promises to capture the true essence of man versus man and woman versus woman, through betrayal, revenge, and redemption. Claflin as Dantès is highly anticipated in the lead role; people will look to see if this actor can play this complex character in a new way, through a fresh take on Dumas’ actual work. Thus, the series holds great promise for both emotionally driven and suspenseful action, making it one of the more promising entries at this year’s festival.
Though it is a television premiere for The Count of Monte Cristo, the film version has already received a confident showcase on the silver screen earlier this year. It was indeed a film adaptation of the same novel which had its cinematic premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, and thereby drew much attention and renewed interest in the Dumas classic.
On his professional front, Claflin’s personal life continues to draw almost similar attention from fans and media too. Despite the problems balancing his crazy schedule of acting with his life off camera, the actor continues to move forward, and The Count of Monte Cristo firmly places him among the year’s most exciting stars to follow. For sure, there will be huge interest in how he can morph Edmond Dantès onscreen as much as how things are going for him off-camera.
This public appearance at the Rome Film Festival marks a new chapter for Sam Claflin, not only in his personal but also professional life-and he appears willing to accept what fate has in store.
