The story is about Phileas Fogg making a £20,000 (equivalent to £1,899,777 in 2021) wager with a snobbish member of the prestigious Reform Club that he can circumnavigate the world in 80 days, joined by his new valet Passepartout and journalist Abigail Fix.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Around the World in 80 Days sometimes stumbles when it tries to add modern resonance to Jules Verne's globetrotting epic, but the core cast make for terrific travel companions.

[17] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter felt the plot did not justify eight episodes, but praised Tennant's performance.

[18] Ed Cumming of The Independent gave it two stars, feeling the budget did not do the epic scope of the novel justice.

[19] James Delingpole in The Spectator also gave a negative review of the series, complaining about its attempts to speak to contemporary political issues.