Howards End: Starz Series to Star Hayley Atwell (Conviction)

Hayley Atwell is moving on. Today, Starz announced the Conviction star has joined the network’s upcoming TV adaptation of the novel Howards End.

Written by E.M. Forster, the story “explores the changing landscape of social and class divisions in turn of the century England through the prism of three families: the intellectual and idealistic Schlegels, the wealthy Wilcoxes from the world of business, and the working class Basts.” In 1992, the book was adapted as a film starring Emma Thompson, Helen Bonham Carter, and Anthony Hopkins. It won three Academy Awards.

Starz’s four-part limited series comes from filmmaker and playwright Kenneth Lonergan. Atwell will play Margaret Schlegel. The cast also includes Matthew Macfadyen and Tracey Ullman.

From Starz:

Beverly Hills, Calif. – February 15, 2017 –Starz, with the BBC, will co-produce the limited series “Howards End,” based on the classic E.M. Forster novel. Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter and playwright Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea, Gangs of New York, You Can Count on Me) brings the beloved novel from the page to the screen in his first television adaptation. Hettie Macdonald (“White Girl”) will direct the four hour-long episodes that will air on BBC One in the UK and STARZ in the U.S.

Executive produced by Playground in association with City Entertainment and KippSter Entertainment, this four-part limited series explores the changing landscape of social and class divisions in turn of the century England through the prism of three families: the intellectual and idealistic Schlegels, the wealthy Wilcoxes from the world of business, and the working class Basts.

“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, says, “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.”

Hayley Atwell (“Agent Carter,” Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron) will portray Margaret Schlegel and Matthew Macfadyen (“Ripper Street,” “The Last Kingdom,” “MI-5”) will portray Henry Wilcox in the adaptation. Tracey Ullman (“Tracey Ullman’s Show,” Into the Woods, “Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union” and “The Tracey Ullman Show”) will play Aunt Juley Mund.

Playground’s Colin Callender (“Wolf Hall”), City Entertainment’s Joshua D. Maurer (Papillon) and Alixandre Witlin (“The Last Tycoon”), and KippSter Entertainment’s David A. Stern (“The Last Tycoon”) will executive produce along with Playground’s Sophie Gardiner (“Eureka Street”) and Scott Huff (“The Missing”) and Lucy Richer for the BBC. Laura Hastings-Smith (Hunger) is producing.

What do you think? Have you read Howards End? Are you excited about Starz’s TV adaptation?