(Photo: PBS) 
It's been more than 80 days since casting was announced for the Jules Verne adaptation, set to star David Tennant, but now here we are: a new trailer and start date has arrived. 
We can look for the Doctor Who star as adventurer Phileas Fogg in the forthcoming PBS series Around the World in 80 Days, premiering on January 2, reports ComingSoon.net.
Verne’s novel was first published in 1872, which revolves around Fogg and his valet Passepartout, portrayed by Ibrahim Koma in the series. Fogg is a member of the Reform Club, where he accepts a challenge, to circumnavigate the world in 80 days. It’s not just for fun, there’s £20,000 at stake.
Fogg and Passepartout set out on their adventure and are joined by a journalist (Leonie Benesch), who plans to document their travels.
In the newly released trailer, Fogg refers to the journalist as his companion, which we think is just a coincidence, but could also be considered a wink at DW.
While he’s not so keen on her covering their progress for The Daily Telegraph, it seems the three of them together make a good team:

We see Fogg travel via boat, by foot, rickshaw and in a hot air balloon, with Passepartout exclaiming, “Why can’t we just travel by train like normal people!?”
That may be too straightforward and take the fun out of it. Yes, there is a wager attached to this adventure, but it is fun, too.
It’s not just the clock they are racing against. According to the trailer, someone is chasing them, and they must outrun the pursuer, too.
The eight-part series kicks off over at PBS on January 2.
Are you excited to see David Tennant return to the role of traveler?