Andrew Davies planning serialization of Sense and Sensibility
An article about the BBC’s upcoming adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Bleak House mentions the adapter, Andrew Davies, who also adapted P&P2, Emma3 and an unproduced screenplay of NA, and contained a very interesting tidbit about his upcoming projects:
Although Davies is no stranger to period drama - his previous adaptations include George Eliot’s Middlemarch, William Thackeray’s Vanity Fair and Anthony Trollope’s The Way We Live Now and he is planning a new serialisation of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility - this is the first time he has attempted Dickens.
Considering the inability to get the NA screenplay produced (though this NA fan is not in a big rush for it anyway, as we found the screenplay rather milquetoast to say the least) and BrontëBlog’s report of the recent cancellation of a BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford, we caution readers to not get too excited about this. (And we are still peeved that we won’t get to see Dame Judi as Miss Matty!)
ETA: Confirmation from the Beeb.
Speaking at the launch of BBC One’s new adaptation Bleak House, Davies said his adaptation of Sense and Sensibility was in its early stages and no actors had been cast.
He rejected the idea that Austen had been overexposed in the last decade after Pride and Prejudice sparked a craze for Austen dramas.
[. . .]
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed Sense and Sensibility was “in the early stages of development” and would be Davies’ next project for BBC One.
October 5th, 2005 at 9:41 am
Yes! I always thought she would be great in that role. I love Cranford and would love to see it produced. I would think that with the success of North & South (my copy is on order from Amazon, btw) they’d be swarming to adapt her work.
As for AD, as much as I would enjoy seeing Sense and Sensibility, I would much rather see Mansfield Park in a weekly format. That story would lend itself better to a series, I think.
October 5th, 2005 at 9:45 am
Wow. I didn’t know it was a Sue Birtwistle production. I would think with all the money she has made for A&E, they’d be happy to cough up the funds for any endeavor of hers.
October 5th, 2005 at 9:55 am
Yes!!!!!!! I would love to see Andrew Davies’ version of Sense and Sensibility. Especially if Sue Birtwistle does the producing. I love P&P2 and Emma3. I hope this is true.
October 5th, 2005 at 10:07 am
Don’t look for A&E to help out. They’ve already put the kibosh on more Hornblower episodes (though there is a concerted fangirl [and fanboy] campaign going on to make them change their minds). A&E is shooting for a “younger” and “hipper” audience, i.e., with Dog the Bounty Hunter and similar.
The British production companies need the money from the American co-producers to make these big period films–the art production, costumes, etc. is terrifically expensive. Masterpiece Theatre doesn’t really have a sponsor anymore, A&E has decided that its mission no longer includes either art or entertainment, and there’s no one to pick up the slack, unfortunately.
I wonder if we can talk Sandy Lerner into spending a few dollars? But I think she’s more of a “book” person. I’m a book person, too, but I like a good movie now and then.
October 5th, 2005 at 10:13 am
A&E has decided that its mission no longer includes either art or entertainment
So true, Mags. It’s a shame really. Why would they think people who like that dog person are hipper than book people? I say we are a more enduring audience and for that reason alone worth cultivating.
October 5th, 2005 at 11:27 am
Vanessa, just look at the spin on the publicity for P&P3–it’s not a dreary, prissy costume drama like those boring interminable TV series, it’s young! It’s hip! It’s got Gritty Realism™ and Keira Knightley! The perception of “stuffy” costume dramas is there; whether it’s real or a function of the media creating the common wisdom, who can say? We all think they are the best kind of TV, but according to the “experts” the great unwashed (who presumably would identify with the Poor!Bennets meme displayed in P&P3) watch the stupid crap in greater numbers. Or, at least, that is the perception. I never believe anything I read in the papers anymore.
October 5th, 2005 at 12:10 pm
Sense and Sensibility was “in the early stages of development” and would be Davies’ next project for BBC One
Wow! I have’t heard much about him lately! I though he had given up Austen! Well, it will be interesting to see what he comes up with. S&S makes me cry each time I read it and as much as I love S&S2 (it has the smae effect on me) I would love to some more scenes from the original book (i.e. Edward’s visit at Barton, Whilloughby’s confession, meeting Mrs. Ferrars, ect.)I also love P&P2 and Emma3 so I’m looking forward to this too. S&S3!!!
Wow. I didn’t know it was a Sue Birtwistle production.
Her again? Well it should be pretty good then.
And I agree! A&E has gone down the tubes lately!!! They used to have such nice things on, mysteries, mini series, ect. I hate what they have on now! Hardly family friendly and not at all Arts and Entertainment!!!!
October 5th, 2005 at 1:45 pm
Well that is something to keep an eye upon. The more Austen adaptations the merrier I say.
On the subject of frustrating American television, the fall of A&E and PBS has seriously forced me to consider buying a multi-regional player.
October 5th, 2005 at 3:13 pm
Yes, I miss all the great British shows that used to be on A&E and PBS (although Masterpiece Theatre & Mystery on PBS are still great). But this news of an Andrew Davies S&S adaptation is exciting. I love everything he has done thus far!
October 5th, 2005 at 4:47 pm
No, darlings, Sue Birtwistle is/was producing “Cranford”. That’s what I meant.
“Masterpiece Theatre” is hanging on by a thread with its lackluster offerings, but “Mystery” (as in, “Foyle’s War”, “Inspector Lynley, etc..” makes up for it’s shortcomings.
October 5th, 2005 at 4:52 pm
A S&S miniseries? Surprising as there is no “really” dashing hero anywhere… ?! Who’s going to supply the frilly shirtage stuff? Colonel Brandon??
I love the book and I love the adaption Emma Thompson made I don’t think there’s anything wanting. But I’m no great friend of adaptions anyway…
October 5th, 2005 at 5:11 pm
No, darlings, Sue Birtwistle is/was producing “Cranford.” That’s what I meant.
If AD is involved, she is most likely producing S&S too. I do agree with your larger point, Teresa–between SB and AD’s track record and the enormous popularity of the NORTH AND SOUTH series on both sides of the pond, you’d think they’d be lining up to make more of the same. Same with Hornblower, they are always nominated for Emmys (have even won one) and critically acclaimed and popular world-wide–Horatians.org has members from like 20 countries. (They’re really big in Japan, believe it or not–and their box set is spectacular.) But no more. Too expensive. Not enough of a profit margin, in other words. They make money, but not enough.
October 5th, 2005 at 8:31 pm
Here I am, cranky as ever. I share the opinion that we are in more need of adaptations of NA and MP rather of the other 4 novels wich have more acceptable ones. Nevertheless I would be more eager to watch S&S3 (more so if it is a miniserie, thus longer) than I have been for P&P3 (which I still believe was unnecesary and too soon).
Since S&S3 is now only in the very early production stages and perhaps the need to seek financial assistance, well I think we, the fans, could very well wait if they hold it up a bit. Here’s the idea for BBC, keep it under pre-production a couple of years, start filming in 2009 for a 2011 broadcasting, which could coincide with the bicentennary of the novel’s first publication and then give us a new adaptation for each of the novels in their publication bicentennary.
October 5th, 2005 at 10:13 pm
I’m glad they’re doing a new version of S&S because I don’t really think either of the films out there now are up to par with the book. S&S2 is OK, but too many characters and scenes were taken out or changed that I’m not completely happy with it. I liked S&S1 except for the two heroes. Not liking the heroes is a good reason for a new film if you ask me.
I’m hoping that Gerard Butler will be cast as Col. Brandon!
I definitely think there needs to be a new version of NA. As for MP I loved the BBC 1983 mini-series, so I’m not in a big hurry to see a new version of that one.
October 5th, 2005 at 11:05 pm
Here I am, cranky as ever.
Lol, Cinthia! I think Mags does not mind a bit of well-directed crankiness at all…
Gerard Butler
Is he the one from Dear Frankie? He is so handsome. I want to see more of him for sure!
October 5th, 2005 at 11:27 pm
Yes, he is.
October 6th, 2005 at 10:34 am
I’m happy there are more and more adaptations - long live JA! I just wish they’re easily available here — I’m having a hard time to find even P+P2, S+S2 and Emma - argh! The blank looks on the faces of the store owners / salesgirls / salesboys …
October 7th, 2005 at 9:24 am
Good to see you, Vanessa :). And yes, fortunately, Mags is always very tolerant with all us the “curmudgeons with necrophiliac loyalty”
(I love that phrase, has anyone ordered the t-shirts? I would want one, he, he, he).
On another constructive idea. I notice Rome is a BBC/HBO co-production. Could not BBC try to find another co-production with them for our beloved miniseries?
October 7th, 2005 at 10:21 am
Don’t get me wrong, I agree that the A&E channel has gone to the gutter in recent years (that show about the tattoo parlor in Las Vegas is a real winner). I am a huge period costume junkie (I am currently seeking treatment, but since acquiring Netflix have fallen off the wagon more times than I will admit here). Considering these facts, is it stange that I have a great affection for “Dog the Bounty Hunter?” Just a question?