London: The BBC has unveiled the cast for its upcoming six-part adaptation of Henry James' classic novel ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ with Nell Tiger Free set to lead the period drama as Isabel Archer.
Written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz and directed by Aisling Walsh, the six-part series is based on James' 1881 novel about a spirited young American woman who travels to Europe after inheriting a fortune, only to find her independence threatened by deception and manipulation.
Gemma Arterton will play the enigmatic Madame Merle, while Jim Sturgess has been cast as the manipulative Gilbert Osmond. Bill Nighy will portray Mr Touchett and Miranda Richardson will star as Isabel's aunt, Mrs Touchett, BBC said in a statement.
The supporting cast includes Jack Wolfe as Ralph Touchett, Calypso Cragg as Pansy Osmond, Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Henrietta Stackpole, Hugh Skinner as Lord Warburton, Hamish Frew as Casper Goodwood, Thomas Coombes as Mr Bantling, Lydia Leonard as Countess Gemini and Dean-Charles Chapman as Edward Rosier.
The adaptation 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 and Rhonda Smith is the series producer.
‘The Portrait of a Lady’ will premiere on PBS Masterpiece in the United States and Canada, and on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. FOX Entertainment Global is handling worldwide distribution.
Production is currently underway, with filming taking place across the UK, Hungary and Croatia.