BBC confirms series based on ‘masterpiece’ novel and it’s ideal for Downton Abbey fans
The BBC has announced a new period drama series based on a classic Henry James novel
View 4 Images
Downton Abbey fans will love the BBC’s new period drama(Image: ITV)
The BBC has announced a new period drama that should appeal to fans of Downton Abbey.
Starring Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Miranda Richardson, The Portrait of a Lady is based on the classic 1881 novel by Henry James, which has previously been adapted for both the screen and stage.
The six-episode limited series will star Servant’s Nell Tiger Free as Isabel Archer, a vivacious New World ingénue who leaves America for old world Europe.
“A charming young woman with an innate wildness and a burning desire to be independent, Isabel rejects a series of marriage proposals, but when she inherits an unexpected fortune that promises to grant her freedom, she falls prey to two American ex-pat schemers: the elegant Madame Merle, played by Bafta-nominee Gemma Arterton, and the charming but calculating Gilbert Osmond, played by Jim Sturgess,” a synopsis says.
View 4 Images
The Portrait of a Lady should appeal to Downton Abbey fans(Image: Nick Briggs/ITV)
“Oscar-nominee and Bafta winner, Bill Nighy plays Mr Touchett, who is enamoured with Isabel’s youth and spirit and hopes to help her in her quest for freedom.”
Oscar-nominee and Bafta winner Miranda Richardson has been cast as Mrs Touchett, Isabel’s “fantastically eccentric aunt”, who takes her off to Europe to find a husband.
View 4 Images
Gemma Arterton has been cast in the drama(Image: PA)
Other cast members include Jack Wolfe as Ralph Touchett, Calypso Cragg as Pansy Osmond, Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Henrietta Stackpole and Hugh Skinner as Lord Warburton.
Hamish Frew, Thomas Coombes, Lydia Leonard and Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman will also be in the drama, which is filming in the UK, Hungary and Croatia.
View 4 Images
Bill Nighy is among the cast of the series(Image: Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen of Number 9 Films TV said: “We are so pleased to be finally making this Henry James classic, which was far ahead of its time, with our friends at Masterpiece and the BBC.”
“We find it astonishing that James’ prescient story has not been made for television for nearly 60 years, but like all great things, it will definitely be worth the wait,” they went on.
Sue Deeks, head of scripted pre-buy acquisitions at the BBC added: “We are so delighted to be involved in what I have no doubt, given the outstanding talent involved, will be a truly exceptional production of Henry James’ masterpiece.”
The Portrait of a Lady will premiere on Masterpiece on PBS, streaming on the PBS app and PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video in the US and Canada, and on iPlayer and BBC One in the UK.
SOURCE: MIRROR