Gemma Arterton and Jim Sturgess to lead cast of The Portrait of a Lady

The Salt Path indie Number 9 Films is to tie with the BBC and Masterpiece to make its first TV show, an adaptation of Henry James’ classic novel The Portrait of a Lady.

The six-parter for BBC1 in the UK and PBS Masterpiece in the US and Canada, will be adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (The Salt Path), directed by Aisling Walsh (Miss Austen), and exec produced by Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen for Number 9 Films TV in partnership with Beta Film GmbH.

Nell Tiger Free will lead the ensemble as Isabel Archer, who inherits an unexpected fortune and falls prey to two American ex-pat schemers – Madame Merle, played by Gemma Arterton, and Gilbert Osmond, played by Jim Sturgess.

Bill Nighy will play Mr Touchett, who is enamoured by Isabel and hopes to help her, while Miranda Richardson will play Mrs Touchett, Isabel’s eccentric aunt.

Filming has begun and will take place across the UK, Hungary and Croatia.

The co-executive producer is Richard Tulk-Hart, and the series producer is Rhonda Smith (Two Weeks in August).

Woolley and Karlsen said: “It’s wonderful to be reunited with Rebecca Lenkiewicz who we worked closely with on Colette and The Salt Path and to work with Aisling Walsh, whom we’ve admired from afar for many years.

“We find it astonishing that James’ prescient story has not been made for television for nearly 60 years, but like all great things, it will definitely be worth the wait.”

Head of scripted content and executive producer for Masterpiece Susanne Simpson added: “The caliber of talent behind this series is exceptional. 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.”

Sue Deeks, head of scripted pre-buy acquisitions at the BBC, added: “We are so delighted to be involved in what I have no doubt, given the outstanding talent involved, will be a truly exceptional production of Henry James’ masterpiece.”

Fox Entertainment Global will handle distribution. The deal was brokered by Richard Tulk-Hart for High Road Entertainment and Liz Tang for Fox.