TV
BBC One to adapt Levy's 'Small Island'
Published Thursday, Oct 23 2008, 13:17 BST | By Alex Fletcher
BBC One has announced plans to adapt Andrea Levy's award-winning novel Small Island.
The BBC Drama commission will be split into two 90-minute episodes, which are scheduled to air in autumn 2009.
Paula Milne (The Virgin Queen) and Sarah Williams (Becoming Jane) adapted Levy's book, while Life On Mars's John Alexander will helm the project.
The cast features Naomie Harris (28 Days Later), David Oyelowo (The Last King Of Scotland), Ruth Wilson, Benedict Cumberbatch and Nikki Amuka-Bird (Survivors).
New BBC Drama controller Ben Stephenson commented: "It is hugely exciting to be able to put such an esteemed modern classic on BBC One where it will complement our classic adaptations.
"Andrea Levy's rich and moving novel has been brought to the screen with wonderful sensitivity by Paula and Sarah and it is no surprise it has brought such a world class director and cast to it."
Small Island is a love story set in 1940s Jamaica and during the Blitz in London. It follows the intertwined lives of Queenie, her husband Bernard, and their Jamaican lodgers Gilbert and Hortense.
The BBC Drama commission will be split into two 90-minute episodes, which are scheduled to air in autumn 2009.
Paula Milne (The Virgin Queen) and Sarah Williams (Becoming Jane) adapted Levy's book, while Life On Mars's John Alexander will helm the project.
The cast features Naomie Harris (28 Days Later), David Oyelowo (The Last King Of Scotland), Ruth Wilson, Benedict Cumberbatch and Nikki Amuka-Bird (Survivors).
New BBC Drama controller Ben Stephenson commented: "It is hugely exciting to be able to put such an esteemed modern classic on BBC One where it will complement our classic adaptations.
"Andrea Levy's rich and moving novel has been brought to the screen with wonderful sensitivity by Paula and Sarah and it is no surprise it has brought such a world class director and cast to it."
Small Island is a love story set in 1940s Jamaica and during the Blitz in London. It follows the intertwined lives of Queenie, her husband Bernard, and their Jamaican lodgers Gilbert and Hortense.
More: TV
Tube Talk
'Skins': The most violent episode ever?Tube Talk previews this week's violent episode of the E4 drama Skins.
TV Interviews
'Celebrity Apprentice' Debbie Gibson Q&ADebbie Gibson opens up about her Celebrity Apprentice experience.
Reality Bites
Does Simon Cowell have new SuBo?: VideoWatch a clip of Jonathan Antoine, who is tipped for success on BGT.
TV Ratings
Judi Dench draws 4.1m on 'Graham Norton'ITV1 pips BBC One to the highest primetime audience share.
