“The period drama of dreams”: Inside the BBC’s “epic” new series The Portrait Of A Lady with “perfect” cast

From The Other Bennet Sister to A Woman Of Substance, there’s rarely a period drama with a strong-willed female lead that we don’t adore. And, now we have a new one to look forward to – the BBC has answered all our prayers with its epic new series, The Portrait Of A Lady. Introducing out new favourite heroine, Isabel Archer (Nell Tiger Free), and joining her is a perfect cast, including the beyond brilliant: Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Miranda Richardson.

It’s truly the period drama of dreams, and an adaptation of a classic novel, telling the story of Isabel – an 1800s American woman with unrivalled joie de vivre, who refuses to settle down. In pursuit of complete freedom, she moves to Europe to see what experiences the old world can offer her – but then a shock inheritance changes the course of her life, and not necessarily for the better…

With the six-part drama coming soon to the BBC, here’s everything you need to know about The Portrait Of A Lady, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is The Portrait Of A Lady about?

Adapted from Henry James’ classic 1881 novel, The Portrait Of A Lady will follow Isabel Archer (Nell Tiger Free), a vivacious heroine who leaves America for Europe with her eccentric aunt, Mrs Touchett (Miranda Richardson), who’s eager to help her find a husband. But, she’s a rebel against her times and doesn’t want to settle down, rejecting a series of marriage proposals. Mr Touchett (Bill Nighy) is impressed with her spirit and eager to help her with her pursuit for freedom – leaving her a significant fortune in his will.

But, when Isabel receives this life-changing sum, she becomes susceptible to the exploitation of conniving opportunists. First, the elegant Madame Merle, played by Gemma Arterton, and second, the charming but calculating Gilbert Osmond, played by Jim Sturgess (Mix Tape, One Day) – whom she falls madly in love with. So, will the spirited Isabel remain a free woman, or could she end up trapped by her circumstances?

‘We’re excited to see Nell Tiger Free in the iconic role of Isabel Archer and Jim Sturgess in the equally iconic role of Gilbert Osmond,’ Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen of Number 9 Films TV told the BBC. ‘We find it astonishing that James’ prescient story has not been made for television for nearly 60 years but, like all great things, it will definitely be worth the wait.’

Who’s in the cast of The Portrait Of A Lady?

The cast of The Portrait Of A Lady includes:

• Gemma Arterton (Secret Service, Their Finest) as Madame Merle
• Jim Sturgess (Mix Tape, One Day) as Gilbert Osmond
• Bill Nighy (Joy, Living) as Mr Touchett
• Miranda Richardson (The Last Anniversary, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire) as Mrs Touchett
• Jack Wolfe (Shadow And Bone, Ancestors) as Ralph Touchett
• Calypso Cragg (An American In Austen, Switch) as Pansy Osmond
• Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Nine Perfect Strangers) as Henrietta Stackpole
• Hugh Skinner (Two Weeks In August, Twenty Twenty Six) as Lord Warburton
• Hamish Frew (Dear England, The Girlfriend) as Casper Goodwood
• Thomas Coombes (The Agency, Legends) as Mr Bantling
• Lydia Leonard (A Woman Of Substance, Secret Service) as Countess Gemini
• Dean-Charles Chapman (1917, Game Of Thrones) as Edward Rosier

How can I watch The Portrait Of A Lady?

With filming currently underway across the UK, Hungary and Croatia, the BBC hasn’t yet revealed the release date for The Portrait Of A Lady, but we know that it will arrive on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here.

What other period dramas can I watch now?

If you’re on the lookout for another period drama set in a different era, we'd recommend World On Fire, which tells the stories of several characters spread across Europe, including Robina Chase, played by Lesley Manville, as the outbreak of World War II upends their lives. You can watch all episodes of World On Fire now on Prime Video. For a period drama starring the brilliant Anna Maxwell Martin, we’d recommend The Bletchley Circle, which takes us back to postwar Britain in 1952. The series follows four former Second World War codebreakers who solve murders. You can watch The Bletchley Circle now on Channel 4.