The Musketeers (2014-2016)

Following in the booted heels of The Three Musketeers (1921) showcasing the acrobatics of Douglas Fairbanks; The Three Musketeers (1939) with Don Ameche and The Ritz Brothers; The Three Musketeers (1948) starring Gene Kelly and Gig Young; The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974) featuring Christopher Lee, Michael York, and Oliver Reed; The Three Musketeers (1993) with Charlie Sheen, Chris O’Donnell, and Tim Curry; and The Three Musketeers (2011) starring Christoph Waltz, Luke Evans, Mads Mikkelsen, Matthew Macfadyen, and Orlando Bloom, is the small screen adventure The Musketeers (2014-2016), not to be confused with France’s 2023 saga The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan and The Three Musketeers: Milady featuring Vincent Cassel and Eva Green. Set in 17th century Paris, this BBC series is yet another adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s 1844 novel. As you would expect, fencing fans get to glance at the sexy swashbucklers in action. Check out Athos (Tom Burke), Aramis (Santiago Cabrera), Porthos (Howard Charles), and D’Artagnan (Luke Pasqualino) using their swords to protect King Louis XIII (Ryan Gage) and Queen Anne (Alexandra Dowling) against the scheming Cardinal Richelieu (Peter Capaldi) and his spies Comte de Rochefort (Marc Warren) and Milady de Winter (Maimie McCoy). Although Dumas purists may find fault with this version, skinophiles will enjoy the shirtless physique on Mr. Pasqualino since he parades his pecs throughout the run. Add in the bare chests on Ashley Walters, Matt Stokoe, Vincent Regan, and Mr. Charles and it’s no wonder Mr. Man is one for all, and all for abs!