BBC1 To Air “The Long Song” Featuring Last Days of Slavery in Jamaica, Dec 18th.

The BBC will present a three-part dramatization of Andrea Levy’s prize-winning novel, “The Long Song.”

Period dramas and adaptations of celebrated novels are the BBC’s bread and butter, so it’s little wonder that Andrea Levy’s The Long Song, set in the 19th century in Jamaica, has been adapted by Sarah Williams.

Andrea Levy is an English novelist, born in London to Jamaican parents. Her book The Long Song was also shortlisted for the Man Booker prize in 2010.

The gripping tale is set during the final days of slavery in 19th century Jamaica, a period of social turbulence. The story focuses on July, who as a young child is taken from her mother Kitty to live in the big house with her capricious mistress, Caroline, who hopes to train July up to be her personal maid.

As July grows up, she learns to ‘handle’ Caroline — but following the Christmas riots and the abolition of slavery, everything July has ever known is thrown into turmoil.

Adapted for the screen by Sarah Williams, The Long Song is described by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, as a “sweeping series about love and survival.”

The three-part adaptation is set on a Jamaican slave plantation and features an all-star cast, including Captain America’s Hayley Atwell and Broadchurch star Sir Lenny Henry.

Check out the trailer below:

The three-part series will begin on Tuesday 18th December on BBC1 at 9pm.

Episode two will air on Wednesday 19th December at 9pm and the third and final episode will air on Thursday 20th December at 9pm.

SOURCE: RadioTimes