BBC adapting Hardy classic

The Thomas Hardy novel has been adapted by David Nicholls (Starter For Ten, Much Ado About Nothing) and will be made in-house by BBC Drama Productions. It was commissioned by BBC Fiction controller Jane Tranter.

Filming will begin in the west country in spring, with David Snodin (Great Expectations, Crime and Punishment) as producer and Kate Harwood as executive producer. The cast is currently being kept under wraps.

"Arguably Thomas Hardy is the most neglected of our great literary authors,” Harwood said.

"Hardy's novel explores love, betrayal and the emotional burden of secrets locked away at the heart of a passionate, loving relationship which, when unlocked, implode with heart-breaking consequences.

"David Nicholls' adaptation brings Hardy's tragic heroine, Tess, to life with verve, passion and sensitivity."

Tess of the D'Urbervilles was first published as a serial in The Graphic in 1891, but was censored at the time to downplay its challenge to contemporary sexual attitudes.

It has since become one of the most well-loved English classics of all time, charting as the nation's 12th favourite in a World Book Day poll last year.

The adaptation follows Cranford, Sense and Sensibility and Larkrise To Candleford, which have all given the BBC ratings and critical success over the past few months.

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