Henry James’ ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ Gets Star-Studded TV Adaptation

A new television adaptation of Henry James’ classic novel “The Portrait of a Lady” is in the works, backed by PBS Masterpiece, the BBC, and Fox. The six-episode limited series will star Nell Tiger Free, best known for “Game of Thrones,” as the lead character Isabel Archer. The story follows a young American woman who travels to Europe and faces choices about love, independence, and society. The ensemble cast also includes Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Jim Sturgess, and Miranda Richardson. The series is written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, whose previous work includes “Colette” and “She Said.” Aisling Walsh, known for “Room at the Top” and “Miss,” will direct. Production details have not yet been announced. The adaptation aims to bring James’ 1881 novel to a new audience with a high-quality, limited-series format. Fans of literary adaptations can expect a faithful yet fresh take on the story of Isabel Archer’s journey. No premiere date has been set for the series, which will air on PBS in the United States and on the BBC in the United Kingdom.