Yahoo Sports Line of Duty's Lennie James announced for new BBC drama
Line of Duty star Lennie James will bring to life a beloved novel character in the BBC One adaptation of Mr Loverman.
Penned by Bernardine Evaristo, the award-winning book follows Barrington Jedidiah Walker aka Barry (played by James in the series), a dapper, larger-than-life 70-year-old Antiguan in East London.
In a long, stable marriage to Carmel, Barry may seem like a ladies' man, and his wife certainly suspects he's been cheating on her. What she doesn't know is that Barry has a decades-long affair with his best friend, Morris.
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"I am 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," Evaristo said in a statement.
As for James, The Walking Dead actor teased a moving story as he prepares to step into Barry's shoes.
"I can't wait to get Barrington's swagger on and help tell this crucial and complicated love story. As funny as it is sad. As full of heart as it is heartache," he said.
The series is written by Nathaniel Price (The Outlaws, Noughts + Crosses), who highlighted the importance of challenging stereotypes with this story.
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"From the moment I read Mr Loverman I fell in love with Barry, Morris, Carmel and the entire Walker family. Bernardine's novel is not only a beautiful, truthful story, full deeply human characters, it is a vitally important one," Price said.
"It is unflinching in its challenge of cultural myths and stereotypes, and an exhibition of just how deep and far-reaching the consequences of prejudice and fear can be.
Set to begin filming later in the year, Mr Loverman will be directed by Hong Khaou (Baptiste, Lilting, Monsoon). It is executive produced by Faye Ward, Hannah Farrell and Hannah Price for Fable Pictures, and Jo McClellan for the BBC, with James serving as executive producer and Price as associate producer.
Mr Loverman's release date is to be announced.
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