Bill Nighy is joined by Gemma Arterton and Jim Sturgess in this “masterpiece” BBC period drama.
Bill Nighy to star in BBC’s period drama adaptation of an “enchanting” classic novel.(Image: GETTY)
BBC period drama fans have another much-loved classic adaptation on the way and this one’s based on an “enchanting” novel.
The BBC has announced that it has given the green light for a six-part drama based on the iconic 19th Century novel The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James.
Its cast will be led by Game of Thrones actress Nell Tiger Free as the “vivacious” Isabel Archer who leaves America for Europe, “keen to experience all that life has to offer”.
Its official description continues: “A young woman with charm and an innate intellectual curiosity, 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.”
Pirates of the Caribbean and Love Actually icon Bill Nighy has been confirmed to portray Mr Touchett who is keen to help Isabel in her “quest for freedom”.
Game of Thrones actress Nell Tiger Free is set to play Isabel Archer in BBC’s The Portrait of a Lady. (Image: GETTY)
Meanwhile, the two schemers are brought to life by Secret Service star Gemma Arterton as the “elegant Madame Merle” and One Day star Jim Sturgess as the “charming but calculating Gilbert Osmond”.
In addition, Harry Potter actress Miranda Richardson takes on the role of Isabel’s “fantastically eccentric aunt” who takes her to Europe in search of a husband.
So far, an official release date hasn’t been confirmed for The Portrait of a Lady but filming has begun, taking place across the UK, Croatia and Hungary.
But going by fans’ obsession with James’ original classic novel, this BBC adaptation is expected to go down a storm.
“Elegant Madame Merle” will be played by Gemma Arterton in BBC’s The Portrait of a Lady. (Image: GETTY)
Taking to Good Reads, someone said: “I started it out of a sense of dutiful curiosity.
“I was not prepared for it to be such an engrossing masterpiece.”
Another agreed: “This work goes straightforward to my ‘favourites shelf’ and deserves my highest rating.
“It is an outstanding masterpiece by an outstanding author and I am eager to read more by him.”
A third remarked: “The simple storyline belies a psychologically complex and endlessly fascinating book”, as a fellow fan declared it “one of the most enthralling and enchanting novels that I’ve read in a long, long time.”
The Portrait of a Lady will be available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
