Joanna Vanderham takes on the role of Marian Maudsley

The star of BBC One’s The Paradise, actress Joanna Vanderham (Dancing On The Edge), is to portray Marian Maudsley in the new 90-minute adaptation of LP Hartley’s classic novel, The Go-Between.

The Go-Between follows Leo Colston, who as an elderly man pieces together his childhood memories after finding his diary from 1900, which he wrote when he was 13 years old. A nostalgic tale about lost innocence, The Go-Between paints beautiful pictures of British life, humanity and social hierarchy at the beginning of the 20th century.

Also starring is: Stephen Campbell Moore (The History Boys, Hunted) as Trimingham, Ben Batt (Shameless, Scott And Bailey) as Ted Burgess, and Lesley Manville (Maleficent, Mayday) as Mrs Maudsley. The young protagonist, Leo, will be played by Jack Hollington. Jack Cutmore-Scott and Samuel Joslin.

Joanna Vanderham said: “I am so excited to have been asked to play Marian Maudsley in the BBC’s new adaptation of this classic novel. I hope to bring the spirit of LP Hartley’s iconic and wonderful story to life on screen along with the fantastic cast lined up for The Go-Between.”

Writer Adrian Hodges who has adapted the novel for BBC One, said: “It’s always an exciting challenge for a writer to adapt a truly great novel and it’s been my privilege to work on our new television version of Hartley’s wonderful book. I’m thrilled with director Pete Travis’s vision for the film and with the fresh and exciting cast we’ve assembled to realise that vision.

“I can’t wait to see Joanna, Ben, Stephen and Lesley, along with the rest of our remarkable cast, bring these nuanced and delicately drawn characters to life and bring this moving story to the attention of a whole new generation of TV viewers. I feel very lucky to be part of such a beautiful and thrilling project.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, added: “As part of our season of 20th century classics The Go-Between is a compelling story of class, sex and innocence which this terrific cast and crew will capture in all its subtlety and power.”

The one-off drama is a BBC Drama production and directed by BAFTA Award-winner Pete Travis (Endgame, Legacy, Omagh).

The Go-Between will commence filming shortly and air on BBC one in 2015.