VANESSA Redgrave is to star in a BBC adaptation of period drama The Go-Between.
An update of the 1971 movie of the same name, which co-starred her father Michael Redgrave, the drama chronicles an Edwardian teenager becoming embroiled as a go-between in the secret relationship between Marian and a local farmer named Ted Burgess.
Jim Broadbent, who also had a minor role in the original big screen version, has been cast in the BBC One version as a character named Leo.
Adrian Hodges has penned the screenplay and said he was “thrilled” that Redgrave and Broadbent have such a “strong connection with [director] Joseph Losey’s well-loved film version from the 1970s” (which starred Julie Christie and Alan Bates).
However, he added: “Our version of The Go-Between is a very different film for a new generation of viewers, but Vanessa’s appearance will bring back happy memories of the gravity of her father Michael’s performance.
“It is both lovely and moving to find Jim made his very first appearance in the movie. I couldn’t be more flattered that these great actors are taking on roles that clearly mean a great deal to them.”
Joanna Vanderham – one of the stars of BBC One’s The Paradise – and Jack Hollington will star as the younger incarnations of Marian and Leo.
The Go-Between will be screened by the BBC next year (2015) as part of a season of new adaptations of literary classics from the 20th Century.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Cider With Rosie and An Inspector Calls will also feature in the new season.
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