Bernardine Evaristo’s novel “Mr Loverman” is being adapted by the BBC into a new drama of the same title, according to reports.
Adapted by Nathaniel Price, the eight-part BBC One show is described as a “life-affirming story about family, love, and being true to yourself” and a look at “aspirations and regret, parenthood, and social expectations about sexual orientation and love”.
Booker Prize-winning author Evaristo said she is thrilled that Mr Loverman is being adapted into television drama.
“I love the idea of them stepping beyond the pages of the novel and into people’s living rooms and lives.”
The 64-year-old writer, who wrote Girl, Woman, Other, made history in 2021 when she was announced as the second woman and first writer of colour to be appointed president of the Royal Society of Literature.
Her other works, The Emperor’s Babe and Hello Mum, were adapted for BBC Radio 4.
Fear The Walking Dead star Lennie James is starring in the adaption – which explores Britain’s older Caribbean community – as 70-year-old Barrington Jedidiah Walker.
Mr Loverman sees Antiguan-born and exuberant Hackney personality Barrington, called Barry by his friends, known for his fondness of retro suits, contend with the cheating suspicions of his wife of 50 years, Carmel.
Filming of Mr Loverman will begin later this year, with further casting to be announced in due course.
The BBC project is in partnership with Sony Pictures Television (SPT)-backed Fable Pictures (Wild Rose, Rocks).
