BBC to give 1992 hit Howards End a sexed-up remake as hot new cast replace original luvvies
THE BBC is hoping to “do a Poldark” with sexed-up new series Howards End.
Like in the steamy Cornish drama, it has hired a hot cast for the Sunday night adaptation.
Avengers star Hayley Atwell, 35, plays the lead.
She is joined by Australian Philippa Coulthard, 24, and Mad Men’s Julia Ormond, 52.
The cast of the four-parter, which starts next weekend, is in stark contrast to the starched thespians of the 1992 movie version.
That featured luvvies like Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Redgrave.
A TV insider said: "Poldark’s huge success showed that having a hot cast doesn’t detract from the fact you’ve stayed true to a much-loved, traditional story. It just make it more enticing.
“That’s what they achieved by signing Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson and Heida Reed.
"And with Howards End they haven’t just gone straight to the posh actors you’d expect to find in a period drama like this.
“They’re just as impressive performers but they’ve got a broader appeal — and since this fill’s the same slot vacated by Poldark, the Beeb are keen to ensure this drama is just as big a hit.”
The drama is based on EM Forster’s 1910 novel about the Wilcox family’s rollercoaster friendship with two modern sisters, Margaret and Helen Schlegel.
It will air on BBC 1 on November 12.
