An 11-week shoot gets underway today, 9 October, on a BBC One adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s novel Mr Loverman. 
 

Lennie James stars in the drama that comes from Fable Pictures.

Based on Evaristo’s 2013 novel, the 8 x 30’ series has been adapted by Nathaniel Price, known for The Outlaws and Noughts & Crosses. 
 

James plays the Barrington Jedidiah Walker, a 70-year-old, Antiguan-born, flamboyant personality well known for his dapper outfits and retro suits. His long-suffering wife of fifty years, Carmel, is pretty certain that Barry has been seeing other women – but she remains unaware that his real infidelity has been with his best friend, Morris, for decades… 
 

Hong Khaou directs; the executive producers are Faye Ward, Hannah Farrell and Hannah Price for Fable Pictures, Jo McClellan for the BBC and James. Nathaniel Price is associate producer. 
 

Evaristo said at the time of the commissioning news: “I am thrilled that Mr Loverman is being adapted into television drama. I love the idea of them stepping beyond the pages of the novel and into people’s living rooms and lives.”
 

James added: “I can’t wait to get Barrington’s swagger on and help tell this crucial and complicated love story. As funny as it is sad. As full of heart as it is heartache…”
 

Writer Price commented: “From the moment I read Mr Loverman I fell in love with Barry, Morris, Carmel and the entire Walker family. Bernardine’s novel is not only a beautiful, truthful story, full of deeply human characters, it is a vitally important one. 
 

“It is unflinching in its challenge of cultural myths and stereotypes, and an exhibition of just how deep and far-reaching the consequences of prejudice and fear can be. It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to adapt this seminal work with the brilliant team at Fable to bring these unforgettable characters to life on screen.”
 

Lennie James image: Antonio Olmos.