Surian Fletcher-Jones says five-part adaptation by Richie Mehta will ‘reclaim history’
Working Title Television is developing an adaptation of EM Forster’s classic novel A Passage to India with the BBC and Delhi Crime creative Richie Mehta.
The Universal International Studios-owned label’s head of drama Surian Fletcher-Jones announced the project on-stage at SXSW London this morning (5 June). The adaptation will be co-produced by Nisha Parti at Parti Productions.
Metha is Canadian but Fletcher-Jones said his five-part adaptation draws inspiration from his “Indian heritage”. She described the project as “completely turning the novel on its head and doing it from the Indian point of view”, and said the project would “reclaim colonial history, which feels kind of right”.
“It’s a beautiful piece, he’s writing and directing it all, and it’s been an incredible development journey to go on because it’s been about emboldening him” she said. “We’re not making A Passage to India, we’re making Richie Mehta’s A Passage to India and helping him have the confidence to go as far with that as possible and have his own point of view on that story.”
Further details are under wraps. Forster’s 1924 novel is a reflection on the author’s visit to the country in 1912. It centres on four characters: local surgeon Dr. Aziz, and Britons Mr. Cyril Fielding, Aziz’s friend, Mrs. Moore, and Miss Adela Quested.
The book explores racism and colonialism and unpacks the relationship between the British and the Indians in India, revolving around an accusation by Quested that the well-respected Aziz attacking her during an outing.
Fletcher-Jones said added that Working Title is also working with novelist Zadie Smith and theatre writer Suzie Miller on projects. She said: “We are championing people with incredible voices,” she added. “You feel like you’re the luckiest person alive, working with these fabulous people with such interesting world views and ideas.”
Working Title previously made Nida Manzoor’s We Are Lady Parts for Channel 4 and has produced Netflix’s soon-to-launch 10-part rom-com Too Much with Lena Dunham.
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