The writer of Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York will adapt E.M. Forster’s classic novel Howards End for BBC One this year.

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright Kenneth Lonergan commented: “I’m very proud to have been entrusted with this adaptation of Howards End for the BBC. The book belongs to millions of readers past and present; I only have the nerve to take it on at all because of the bottomless wealth and availability of its ideas, the richness of its characters and the imperishable strain of humanity running through every scene.”

He continued: “The blissfully expansive mini-series format makes it possible to mine these materials with a freedom and fidelity that would be otherwise impossible. It’s a humbling and thrilling creative venture transporting the Schlegels, Wilcoxes and Bastsfrom the page to the screen. I hope audiences will enjoy spending time with them as much as I do.”

Howards End was originally published in 1910 and 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.

> Buy the book on Amazon.

Producer Colin Callender added: “At a time when there is a raging debate about the BBC license fee it is worth reminding ourselves that it is because this great institution is funded by license fee rather than advertising or subscription that it is able to bring to the British audience dramas that no one else in the UK would produce. The boldness of commissioning a playwright like Ken Lonergan to adapt this great literary classic and make it accessible and relevant to a modern audience is a testament to the BBC’s crucial and unique role in the broadcast landscape worldwide.”

The four 60-minute episodes will begin filming this summer.

Howards End was previously adapted as part of the BBC’s Play of the Month series in 1970, starring Leo Genn, Sarah-Jane Gwillim, and Glenda Jackson.

Are you looking forward to Howards End? Let us know below…