The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton to be adapted for TV
Filming has begun on the BBC adaptation of Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist, starring Romola Garai and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Produced by The Forge and written by John Brownlow (Fleming, Sylvia), The Miniaturist is set in 1686 and tells the story of a house where, beneath the lavish beauty and privilege, lies forbidden passions and dangerous secrets.
As the first photos have emerged from the set, we now know who will play the key roles. Anya Taylor-Joy will star as the protagonist Nella, with Romola Garai playing her cold, domineering sister-in-law Marin. Nella’s merchant husband will be portrayed by Alex Hassell, with Paapa Essiedu, Emily Berrington and I, Daniel Blake’s Hayley Squires also set to feature.
Since Picador bought the book in the UK, The Miniaturist has sold well over a million copies in 37 countries and has gone on to become something of a publishing phenomenon, storming to the top of the bestseller lists in both hardback and paperback. It has also gone on to win multiple awards including Waterstone’s Book of the Year, the New Writer of the Year and overall Book of the Year in the National Book Awards.
After intense interest from film and TV companies internationally, Company Pictures — who are behind the TV adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novel Wolf Hall — optioned the TV rights to The Miniaturist back in 2015.
On the television adaptation of her debut novel, Jessie Burton said:
‘It’s an almost indescribable thrill to know the characters and story I invented in The Miniaturist are going to be given a new life in such an exciting way. John Brownlow’s script is perfect, and I know that Kate Sinclair at the Forge will make magic happen in production. Short of actually being published, it’s the best news I’ve ever had.’
Kate Sinclair, who discovered the book for Company will Executive Produce the project. She said:
‘I read and pursued The Miniaturist in manuscript for over a year before publication, so utterly passionate was I about its astoundingly beauty and its rich and diverse characters. Jessie has created an exquisite gem, making the world of seventeenth century Amsterdam live and breathe in incredible detail whilst also delivering a fast paced thriller full of intrigue and dark secrets. John Brownlow has done a wonderful adaptation and I feel privileged to be making this for the BBC. Think Wolf Hall meets Tulip Fever.’
Elizabeth Kilgarriff, Executive Producer, BBC said:
‘The Miniaturist is a book much loved by many people and I’m thrilled that we’ll be bringing this compelling and beautiful story to life on BBC One. Jessie Burton’s haunting thriller, brilliantly adapted by John Brownlow, plays out against the extraordinary backdrop of seventeenth century Amsterdam and promises a truly original and visually stunning treat for our audience.’
Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist is out now, the TV adaptation will be coming to BBC One in 2017. Jessie’s latest novel The Muse, also a Sunday Times bestseller, was published in paperback earlier this year.
