Starz joins BBC for Howard’s End

Starz has come on board the BBC adaptation of Howard’s End and the pair will coproduce the TV adaptation of the E.M. Forster novel. Starz will also sell the series internationally.

The US premium cable net and the UK pubcaster have a history of working together, having teamed for Da Vinci’s Demons, Torchwood and The White Queen, and have joined forces again for the four-part series, which has been several years in the making.

Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen and Tracey Ullman have all been confirmed as cast members, and Manchester by the Sea screenwriter and playwright Kenneth Lonergan will adapt the book for TV.

Starz, now owned by Lionsgate, will debut the show in the US and it will be on BBC One in the UK. The series will be filmed in London.

Colin Callender’s Wolf Hall prodco Playground will produce, having made Philippa Gregory adaptation The White Princess for Starz. City Entertainment and KippSter Entertainment are the other prodcos involved.

Forster’s novel explores social and class divisions in turn of the century England through the lives of three families.

“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, president of programming for Starz.

Lucy Richer, BBC 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.”