Howards End Limited Series Coming to BBC One, Starz

BEVERLY HILLS: Starz and the BBC are co-producing the limited series Howards End, based on the classic E.M. Forster novel.

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea, Gangs of New York) will be bringing the book from the page to the screen in his first TV adaptation. Hettie Macdonald (White Girl) will direct the four hour-long episodes, which will air on BBC One in the U.K. and Starz in the U.S.

Executive produced by Playground in association with City Entertainment and KippSter Entertainment, the limited series explores the changing landscape of social and class divisions in turn-of-the-century England through the lens of three families: the intellectual and idealistic Schlegels, the wealthy Wilcoxes from the world of business, and the working-class Basts. Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter, Avengers: Age of Ultron) will portray Margaret Schlegel and Matthew Macfadyen (Ripper Street, The Last Kingdom) will portray Henry Wilcox in the adaptation. Tracey Ullman (Tracey Ullman’s Show, Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union) will play Aunt Juley Mund.

Starz retains all U.S. multiplatform pay-TV rights, as well as worldwide multiplatform distribution rights for Howards End. BBC retains the U.K. television rights.

“Starz continues our commitment to bring quality drama to the screen with Howards End and we’re delighted to once again work in partnership with the BBC and Colin Callender on this literary period piece,” said Carmi Zlotnik, the president of programming for Starz.

Lucy Richer, BBC’s executive producer, said, “Kenneth Lonergan is one of our truly great contemporary voices, and his adaptation of this adored timeless classic will surprise and delight a whole new audience with its timely and relevant themes.”