BBC Unveils du Maurier Commissions

LONDON, February 12: The BBC has announced two commissions
on the life and works of English author Daphne du Maurier to mark her centenary
this year: the 90-minute drama Daphne and
the factual special The Road to Manderley, both for BBC Two.

Daphne is a drama based on the acclaimed
biography of Daphne du Maurier by Margaret Forster and adapted for the screen by
Amy Jenkins, the creator of This Life,
in her first attempt at period drama. It features Geraldine Somerville (Gosford
Park, Harry Potter), Elizabeth McGovern (Freezing), and Janet McTeer (Five Days, Tumbleweeds).

The second commission, The Road to Manderley is produced by Denham Production and executive
produced by Jacquie Hughes. It features Rick Stein, who sets out to uncover du
Maurier’s world in Cornwall.