The Crimson Petal & the White was an international best seller for Dutch writer Michel Faber back in 2002 and now it is set to be adapted as a TV show by the BBC. With an all-star cast, it has all of the makings of a classic BBC drama.
Michel Faber spent years writing serious fiction without even bothering to submit his work for publication, but when his wife’s encouragement led to him winning a series of short writing contests, his work got taken up. The Crimson Petal & The White was his fourth published novel and focuses on the murky underbelly of the class divide in Victorian England.
With the likes of Gillian Anderson of X-Files fame and Richard E. Grant taking up main roles of Mrs. Castaway and Dr Curlew, the BBC have put a fair bit of acting might behind the production. However, the role of William Rackham will be played by the IT Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd, which is a brilliant juxtaposition of type-cast actor in a role completely against the grain. The part of prostitute Suger, the heroine of the story, will be played by newcomer Romola Gerai, who was the 18 year old Briony Tallis in Atonement.
The production of The Crimson Petal and The White was split into 4 hour long episodes, the first airing on the 6th April, in which the financially and matrimonially troubled Mr Rackham first seeks comfort with Sugar. Episode 2 aired on the 13th April 2011 where things became even more embroiled as Suger moves in with Rackham ad his wife Agnes. Episode 3 aired on the 20th April, continuing the dark days for the Victorian love triangle, and episode 4 on the 27th April, in which the climactic end to the story leaves Suger with big decisions to make.
Buy The Crimson Petal and the White TV drama from Amazon.co.uk
