Wuthering Heights Serial for ITV1
New Adaptation by Peter Bowker of the Emily Bronte Novel
Peter Bowker is the name to spot in 2009 for penning what has so far been the best outing on British TV all year (Occupation), then setting his sights on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood origins (Desperate Romantics) and now he’s re-worked a literally classic for the screen (Wuthering Heights). Yes it’s another period piece and a story that has been told many times before but that’s television for you.
In this new production, to be shown on ITV1 and broadcast in two 90 minute slots, relatively unknown, but sure to change, actress Charlotte Riley is the heroine Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff will be played by Tom Hardy, who was absolutely brilliant in Nicolas Winding Refn’s perplexing but must-see “biopic” Bronson. Both also starred in Sky1’s The Take earlier this year.
Wuthering Heights – A Story of Love and Revenge
Wuthering Heights is the only novel written by Emily Bronte. The plot is essentially a love story with revenge thrown it at the latter stages. It’s better to watch this knowing little of what happens, that’s if there’s still anyone out there who hasn’t read the book or seen one of the many films or stage plays.
The set up is thus: essentially what happens is that a young Liverpudlian orphan Heathcliff is taken to live at Wuthering Heights estate by the owner Mr Earnshaw (Kevin McNally - Demons, Pirates of the Caribbean). Earnshaw’s son Hindley (Burn Gorman – Torchwood, Bleak House) takes an instant dislike to Heathcliff while his sister Cathy befriends him. The two of them eventually fall in love but complications in polite society, and alternative suitors, mean that nothing can come of it.
The characters do get older and the story gets all the more dark but that’s all that should be said for those who really want to get full enjoyment from this. And a lot takes place making the notion of a brief synopsis impossible to achieve. If anyone really wants to know the ins-and-outs just look it up on the online encyclopaedia which cannot be named, but keep in mind that some creative license may be applied. This version was premiered in January on US TV's PBS.
Wuthering Heights Cast includes Tom Hardy and Sarah Lancashire
On playing the role of Cathy, Riley said to ITV Press: “Wuthering Heights is a very special story to many people and everyone has their own interpretation of what Heathcliff and Cathy represent. The writer has adapted the story so it’s not the book verbatim. Playing any iconic role you just have to go with your instinct and maintain the confidence that you are creating a character and story the writer and director have envisaged.”
The Virgin Queen director Coky Giedroyc shot Wuthering Heights and other cast members include Sarah Lancashire (Coronation Street, Clocking Off) Nelly Dean, Andrew Lincoln (Teachers, Love Actually) as Edgar Linton and Rebecca Night (Fanny Hill) as Catherine Linton. Award winning writer Bowker has been behind some of the better dramas of the past decade including Blackpool, Flesh and Blood and, of course, Occupation.
Here’s hoping it turns out better than Bowker’s other attempt at period drama this year, the BBC’s woeful Desperate Romantics. It’s not completely awful but its Moll Flanders meets Hollyoaks edge didn’t live up to the promise set by a writer with such an impressive pedigree in TV drama. However good or bad Wuthering Heights turns out, anything that gives Hardy more screen time gets plus points from the off.
Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy in Wuthering Heights
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