It’s been nearly 150 years since “Little Women” was first published and the March sisters remain some of the most beloved characters of all-time — a fact which will be capitalized on by PBS and BBC. PBS’ “Masterpiece” and BBC are teaming up on a three-part adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The coming-of-age story will be helmed by Vanessa Caswill (“Thirteen,” “My Mad Fat Diary”) and written by Heidi Thomas (“Call the Midwife,” “Upstairs Downstairs”).
First published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, “Little Women” follows the Civil War-era lives of Marmee, the matriarch of the March family, and her daughters — Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy — as the children grow up and grapple with ambition, romance, and sickness. The family is also adjusting to life without Mr. March, who is away fighting for the Union.
Principal photography is scheduled to kick off in July, and casting will be announced shortly.
“‘Little Women’ is one of the most loved novels in the English language, and with good reason. Its humanity, humor, and tenderness never date, and as a study of love, grief, and growing up it has no equal,” Thomas said in a statement. “There could be no better time to revisit the story of a family striving for happiness in an uncertain world, and I am thrilled to be bringing the March girls to a new generation of viewers.”
Just last week we reported that a new film adaptation of “Little Women” is in the works. Expected to hit theaters in 2018, the project marks Clare Niederpruem’s directorial debut. She’s co-writing the script with Kristi Shimek.
It’s great to see that the new miniseries and film both have women writers and directors attached.
“Little Women” has been adapted for the big screen several times, most recently in 1994 by screenwriter Robin Swicord and director Gillian Armstrong. The star-studded cast included Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Christian Bale. Katharine Hepburn and June Allyson starred in the 1933 and 1949 film versions of the story, respectively.
Previously, we reported plans of another “Little Women” iteration in development, penned by Greta Gerwig and produced by Amy Pascal, Denise Di Novi, and Swicord. It is unclear whether that film is still in development. Currently, there is no mention of it on Pascal or Gerwig’s IMDb page.
