Just a quick taster of a few coming costume drama attractions on British TV this autumn and winter … these are nearly all BBC series or films, with one from ITV. I don’t think Channel 4 has announced its autumn season yet, but will hope to post something about that as and when it does.
The most eagerly awaited series has to be the new Sandy Welch adaptation of Emma, and there has also been a fair bit of information about a Cranford follow-up in store at Christmas – here’s a link to a fan site on the series - but there are also several other goodies to look forward to:
Desperate Romantics – on BBC2, a major new six-part series about the Pre-Raphaelites, apparently starting later this month – written by Peter Bowker who scripted Blackpool (not really a costume drama but I loved it) and also the latest version of Wuthering Heights. Starring Aidan Turner, Rafe Spall, Tom Hollander, Samuel Barnett.
There is already a fan site for this series which has brought together a lot of info, interviews and pictures.
Garrow’s Law - on BBC1, a four-part 18th-century legal drama inspired by the life of pioneering barrister William Garrow, starring Andrew Buchan, who was in Cranford, and Alun Armstrong.
Small Island - two-part drama on BBC1, adapted from Andrea Levy’s novel and set in 1940s Jamaica and London. Starring Ruth Wilson, who took the title role in the Andrew Davies version of Jane Eyre, with Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo, Ashley Walters and Naomie Harris.
Land Girls - new BBC1 daytime drama about the Second World War, with an impressive cast including Nathaniel Parker and Christine Bottomley – this is apparently being shown in September:
Enid Blyton, Gracie Fields and Margot Fonteyn - three one-off dramas for BBC4 which all look to have really impressive casts, especially the first of these, which stars Helena Bonham-Carter as Blyton, with Matthew Macfadyen and Denis Lawson. The Gracie Fields film stars Jane Horrocks of Little Voice fame, and the Margot film stars Anne-Marie Duff, who played Queen Elizabeth I in The Virgin Queen – other casting hasn’t been announced for these two yet.
As well as the general press release, here’s a link to another release with more detail about the Enid Blyton drama.
Wuthering Heights - on ITV, this adaptation has already been shown in the US but not over here – it is supposed to be coming up here this autumn or maybe at Christmas, and is adapted by Peter Bowker, starring Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley. There are rumours this could be the “last ITV costume drama” – I certainly hope not, and I find it very hard to believe that will be the case in the medium to longer term!
Wow! Lots of new stuff to see. I’m looking forward to… Thanks for sharing.
It’s a pleasure! Hope you get to see them before too long.
Whoa! Land Girls?!?!?! They made Land Girls several years ago and I LOVED it. Would love to see a newer version!!!
Do you mean the film ‘The Land Girls’ with Anna Friel? I haven’t seen that one but would like to! It looks as if this is a completely different story, but could be really good.
It takes place in the 40s with three young women sent to work on a dairy farm.
I loved it for Rachel Weisz – I think that was the first thing I saw her in. Her and old “may I have a go, Joe?” – you’ll need to watch it to see what I mean. I always wanted to buy the DVD and just never did. I’ll have to seek it out.
I thought it might be the same film and I’ve always wanted to see the earlier Land Girls but I think it’s harder to track down… I was about to watch it online when it got taken down – which seems to be my luck most of the time!
Yes, thank you. It looks like the Emma will be here soon, no?
Ellen
Hello Ellen, I’ve just checked at the imdb, and according to them it will be shown in the UK in October – I’ll keep you posted if I hear more!
This is so great, thanks Judy!
Thanks, Ailatan – I’m looking forward to having a bit more to watch this autumn.
Hi Judy!
I knew about the Enid Blyton film but not the biopics on Gracie Fields or Margot Fonteyn! They look intriguing! I’m interested to see Jane Horrocks in another role after loving her as Mrs. Pritchard! I’m curious to see Anne Marie portray Margot since I don’t see any physical similarities but like Duff as an actress.
Hi Charley, I’m intrigued by all three of these biopics too – Jane Horrocks is such a great singer that she should be perfect for Gracie Fields. I must admit I know very little about Margot Fonteyn, but look forward to finding out more.:)
I didn’t know that Jane was a singer! Found out something new again! :)
Hi Charley, here’s a link to a clip from the film ‘Little Voice’ where she sings in the voices of Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Gracie Fields and Judy Garland – I hadn’t realised she did Fields until re-watching this clip!
I love this whole film though it is very black comedy:
http://tinyurl.com/nefelz
This is on Youtube so will probably be taken down…
Teresa and Charley, just to say I’ve just looked up the older film called ‘The Land Girls’ at the imdb and it has a great cast – unfortunately, it is deleted here too, but I hope to get the chance to see it some time, anyway.