The BBC has acquired the UK rights to the six-part adaptation of The Portrait of a Lady, based on Henry James’ classic novel.
The Portrait of a Lady will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, while audiences in the United States and Canada will be able to watch it on MASTERPIECE on PBS.
Nell Tiger Free stars as Isabel Archer, a young woman determined to pursue freedom and independence. She is joined by an ensemble cast that includes Jim Sturgess, Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Miranda Richardson, Jack Wolfe, Hugh Skinner, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Dean-Charles Chapman, and many others.
The Portrait of a Lady is adapted for the screen by Rebecca Lenkiewicz and directed by Aisling Walsh. It is produced by Number 9 Films TV in partnership with Beta Film, with BAFTA-winning producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen serving as executive producers.
The producers described Henry James’ novel as a work far ahead of its time and noted that it is being adapted for television for the first time in nearly 60 years. The BBC also expressed confidence that, given the outstanding creative team and cast involved, the series will be an exceptional production.
Worldwide distribution will be handled by FOX Entertainment Global. Filming is currently underway across the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Croatia.
