BBC, Lookout Point’s A Suitable Boy heading to Netflix
July 16, 2020
UK drama studio Lookout Point has partnered with Netflix on its adaptation of A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth’s best-selling novel, which will be airing later this month in the UK on BBC One.
Netflix will be the exclusive home of A Suitable Boy for all global territories, except Canada, the US and China. In the UK and Ireland, A Suitable Boy will be available on Netflix 12 months after its release on BBC One. The deal was brokered by Lookout Point with BBC Studios.
Adapted by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, War & Peace, Les Misérables), and directed by internationally acclaimed film director Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, Queen of Katwe), this is the first screen adaptation of the global hit novel.The cast of the six-part drama, shot entirely on location in India, is led by Bollywood leading man Ishaan Khatter (Beyond the Clouds, Dhadak) and Indian screen legend Tabu (The Namesake, Life of Pi, Andhadhun) alongside rising star Tanya Maniktala in the central role of Lata.
A Suitable Boy tells the story of spirited university student Lata (Tanya Maniktala) as she comes of age in North India in 1951, at the same time as the country is carving out its own identity as an independent nation and is about to go to the polls for its first democratic general election.
Damian Keogh, Managing Director of Lookout Point, said: “We’re hugely excited to be partnering with Netflix to bring A Suitable Boy to international audiences, hot on the heels of its UK debut on BBC One. This epic tale speaks of human truths of life, love and family amid a country in rapid transition – themes and experiences as relevant today as when they were written.”
Caroline Stone, Director of Independent Drama at BBC Studios added: “The demand for quality British drama is higher than ever globally so we are thrilled to be partnering with Netflix on this wonderful series to bring audiences around the world Vikram Seth’s literary classic reimagined with such colour and vigour. The talent on and off screen for A Suitable Boy are exceptional and have helped to make this a series of which we are very proud.”
Executive Producers are Andrew Davies, Mira Nair and Vikram Seth; Faith Penhale, Laura Lankester and Will Johnston for Lookout Point; Lydia Dean Pilcher and Aradhana Seth (who also produce); and Mona Qureshi and Ayela Butt for the BBC. BBC Studios distributes the series internationally.