Sir Michael Gambon takes over the role of Jules Maigret after Richard Harris played the role in the previous English-language adaptation: Maigret (1988). Gambon and Harris shared another role, that of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film franchise.
A lot of the location filming was done in Hungary because 1990s Budapest looked like 1950s Paris where the stories were set. Many of the minor acting roles, especially non-speaking ones, were played by Hungarian actors. Likewise some Hungarian crew members were used.