Period drama fans are in for a treat as the BBC has announced its star-studded new six-part drama, The Portrait of a Lady, based on the classic novel by Henry James.
Filming has begun on the upcoming series, which stars the likes of Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Jim Sturgess and Miranda Richardson.
© Nicole NodlandThe iconic 1881 novel, hailed as a masterpiece, tells the story of Isabel Archer, a spirited American woman who travels to Europe. After inheriting an unexpected fortune, she falls prey to two American ex-pat schemers.
With an adaptation by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, whose credits include The Salt Path and Small Axe, and direction from Aisling Walsh, known for her work on the acclaimed BBC drama Miss Austen, the production is in safe hands!
Keep reading to find out more.
What is The Portrait of a Lady about?
The story follows Isabel Archer, a “vivacious New World ingénue” who leaves America for Old World Europe, keen to experience all that life has to offer.
The synopsis continues: “A charming young woman with an innate wildness and a burning desire to be independent, 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: the elegant Madame Merle and the charming but calculating Gilbert Osmond.
© Getty Images for BFITeasing the drama, Sue Deeks, Head of Scripted Pre-buy Acquisitions at the BBC, said viewers can expect a “truly exceptional production” of Henry James’ classic novel.
Who stars in the series?
Nell Tiger Free (The First Omen, Servant) leads the ensemble as Isabel Archer, while Gemma Arterton (Secret Service, Their Finest) plays Madame Merle and Jim Sturgess (Mix Tape, One Day) portrays Gilbert Osmond.
Meanwhile, Bill Nighy (Joy, Living) plays Mr. Touchett, who is “enamored with Isabel’s youth and spirit and hopes to help her in her quest for freedom”, while Miranda Richardson (The Last Anniversary, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) portrays Mrs. Touchett, Isabel’s eccentric aunt, who takes her to Europe in search of a husband.
© Daniele Venturelli/Getty ImagesOther cast members include 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, Hugh Skinner (Two Weeks in August, Twenty Twenty Six) as Lord Warburton and Hamish Frew (Dear England, The Girlfriend) as Casper Goodwood.
Rounding out the main cast are Thomas Coombes (The Agency, Legends) as Mr Bantling, Lydia Leonard (Down Cemetery Road, A Woman of Substance) as Countess Gemini and Dean-Charles Chapman (1917, Game of Thrones) as Edward Rosier.
© Patch BellWhen will The Portrait of a Lady be released?
The Portrait of a Lady will premiere on MASTERPIECE on PBS, streaming on the PBS app and PBS MASTERPIECE on Prime Video in the US and Canada, and on iPlayer and BBC One in the UK.
While a release date has yet to be announced, with filming currently underway and set to take place across the UK, Hungary and Croatia, we’d expect the show to premiere sometime in 2027.
