BBC to make The Long Song for TV

Hayley Atwell and Sir Lenny Henry will star in a TV adaptation of the best-selling novel The Long Song, the BBC has announced.

The three-part series, based on Andrea Levy’s book, will also star Tamara Lawrance and Jack Lowden.

Set during the final days of slavery in 19th century Jamaica, the story follows the strong-willed, young slave July, played by Lawrance.

Atwell plays the odious plantation owner Caroline Mortimer while Lowden appears as Robert Goodwin, the charming new overseer who is determined to improve the plantation for the slaves and mistress alike.

Sir Lenny will play Godfrey in the BBC One series 0 Tamara Lawrance as July and Hayley Atwell