The BBC has acquired ‘The Portrait of a Lady’, a new six-part adaptation of Henry James’ classic novel starring Nell Tiger Free (The First Omen, Servant), Jim Sturgess (Mix Tape, One Day), Gemma Arterton (Secret Service, Their Finest), Miranda Richardson (The Last Anniversary, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and Bill Nighy (Joy, Living).
The drama will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, alongside a release through MASTERPIECE on PBS in the USA and Canada.
Adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Colette, The Salt Path, She Said) and directed by Aisling Walsh (Room at the Top, Miss Austen, Elizabeth is Missing), the series follows Isabel Archer, played by Nell Tiger Free, a vivacious young American who leaves the New World behind to explore Europe and experience everything life has to offer.
Intelligent, charming and determined to retain her independence, Isabel rejects a string of marriage proposals. However, when she unexpectedly inherits a fortune that appears to offer her true freedom, she attracts the attention of two scheming American expatriates.
Gemma Arterton plays the elegant Madame Merle, while Jim Sturgess takes the role of the charming but calculating Gilbert Osmond.
Bill Nighy stars as Mr Touchett, who is captivated by Isabel’s youth and spirit and hopes to support her search for freedom. Miranda Richardson plays Isabel’s fantastically eccentric aunt, Mrs Touchett, who brings her to Europe with the rather more traditional goal of finding her a husband.
The ensemble also includes Jack Wolfe (Shadow and Bone, Ancestors) as Ralph Touchett, Calypso Cragg (An American in Austen, Switch) as Pansy Osmond, Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Nine Perfect Strangers, Insidious: Out of the Further) as Henrietta Stackpole and Hugh Skinner (Two Weeks in August, Twenty Twenty Six) as Lord Warburton.
Further cast members include Hamish Frew (Dear England, The Girlfriend) as Casper Goodwood, Thomas Coombes (The Agency, Legends) as Mr Bantling, Lydia Leonard (A Woman of Substance, Secret Service) as Countess Gemini and Dean-Charles Chapman (1917, Game of Thrones) as Edward Rosier.
“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. It’s wonderful to be reunited with Rebecca Lenkiewicz who we worked closely with on Colette and The Salt Path and to work with Aisling Walsh, whom we’ve admired from afar for many years.
“It’s also wonderful that we can reunite with some of the actors that we know so well from our movies in our first TV show; Bill Nighy, Gemma Arterton, and Miranda Richardson. We’re excited to see Nell Tiger Free in the iconic role of Isabel Archer and Jim Sturgess in the equally iconic role of Gilbert Osmond. 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,” commented executive producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen of Number 9 Films TV.
“The caliber of talent behind this series is exceptional. It is a special pleasure to be working with Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen, who are remarkable award-winning filmmakers, and with writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz, whose scripts are as beautiful as they are insightful.
“Director Aisling Walsh has brought together a stellar cast led by Nell Tiger Free, Gemma Arterton, and Jim Sturgess. They will all bring the nuance and beauty of Henry James’ story to the screen in an unforgettable piece of television,” added Susanne Simpson, Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer for MASTERPIECE.
Sue Deeks, Head of Scripted Pre-buy Acquisitions at the BBC, said: “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’ is executive produced by BAFTA winners Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen for Number 9 Films TV in partnership with Beta Film GmbH. Richard Tulk-Hart serves as co-executive producer, with Rhonda Smith producing. FOX Entertainment Global is handling worldwide distribution.
Filming is now underway across the UK, Hungary and Croatia.
‘The Portrait of a Lady’ premieres on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. A premiere date has not yet been announced.
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