Masterpiece Sets New Adaptation of ‘The Portrait of a Lady’
Henry James's classic novel is returning to television for the first time in 60 years.
Masterpiece is going back to its classical literary roots, joining forces with Number 9 Films TV and FOX to adapt one of author Henry James’s most famous works for a new audience. The Portrait of a Lady, a sprawling tale of freedom, betrayal, and the clash between Old and New World cultures, is considered one of the author’s early masterpieces and hasn’t been adapted for television in nearly six decades.
The Portrait of a Lady follows Isabel Archer, an American heiress who travels to Europe in search of personal freedom and unwittingly becomes the victim of a manipulative plot by two American ex-pats before finding herself trapped in a miserable, controlling marriage.
Oscar-winning director Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) helmed a feature film version in 1996 starring Nicole Kidman (Nine Perfect Strangers) and John Malkovich (The New Look) that is generally regarded as visually indulgent but emotionally drab. But no television adaptation has been attempted since the 1968 BBC version that starred Suzanne Neve (The Forsyte Saga) and Richard Chamberlain (The Thorn Birds).
Here’s the series description.
In this six-part limited series, Isabel Archer is a vivacious New World ingénue who leaves America for Old World Europe, keen to experience all that life has to offer. A young woman with charm and an innate intellectual curiosity, 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.
Nell Tiger Free (Endeavour) stars as Isabel Archer, alongsideGemma Arterton (Funny Woman) and Jim Sturgess (The Stolen Girl) as schemers Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond. The series also features Miranda Richardson (Good Omens) as Isabel’s eccentric aunt Mrs. Touchett, and Bill Nighy (Lazarus) as Mr. Touchett, who is enamored with Isabel’s youth and spirit and hopes to help her in her quest for freedom.
Other members of the star-studded ensemble include Jack Wolfe (Shadow & Bone) as Ralph Touchett, Calypso Cragg (Doctor Who) as Pansy Osmond, Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light) as Henrietta Stackpole, Hugh Skinner (Twenty Twenty Six) as Lord Warburton, Hamish Frew (Dear England) as Casper Goodwood, Thomas Coombes (The Agency) as Mr Bantling, Lydia Leonard (A Woman of Substance) as Countess Gemini and Dean-Charles Chapman (1917) as Edward Rosier.
The six-episode series hails from Rebecca Lenkiewicz (The Salt Path) and director Aisling Walsh (Miss Austen).
“The caliber of talent behind this series is exceptional,” Susanne Simpson, Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer for Masterpiece, said. “It is a special pleasure to be working with Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen, who are remarkable award-winning filmmakers, and with writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz, whose scripts are as beautiful as they are insightful. Director Aisling Walsh has brought together a stellar cast led by Nell Tiger Free, Gemma Arterton, and Jim Sturgess. They will all bring the nuance and beauty of Henry James’ story to the screen in an unforgettable piece of television.”
A co-production from Number 9 Films TV and Masterpiece, in association with FOX Entertainment Global, the limited series is executive produced by Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen for Number 9 Films TV alongside Richard Tulk-Hart of High Road Entertainment. Rhonda Smith is series producer.
Filming on The Portrait of a Lady is underway and will take place across the U.K., Hungary, and Croatia. It is not expected to debut on PBS until at least 2027.
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