The BBC has snapped up another literary gem for its collection of cherished book-to-screen adaptations, this time featuring Jacob Elordi in a leading role.
Labelled as ‘heart-wrenching’ by the ‘s acquisition chief, the upcoming drama is an adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s acclaimed novel, The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
The novel, which clinched the Man Booker Prize in 2014, tells the harrowing tale of an Australian prisoner of war forced into labour on the notorious Death Railway during World War II.
Spanning five episodes, the series remains faithful to the novel, chronicling the life of protagonist Dorrigo Evans through pivotal moments. Viewers will be taken on a journey through his intense romance, the brutal challenges he faced and his subsequent recognition as a war hero.
Jacob Elordi, known for his role in Saltburn, portrays a young Dorrigo, while Ciaran Hinds of Kin fame plays the older version. Odessa Young steps into the shoes of Dorrigo’s love interest, Amy Mulvaney, reports .
Elordi starred in the 2023 hit film Saltburn (Image: Getty)
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While the has confirmed it will bring the miniseries to UK screens, the premiere date is still under wraps.
Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a complex, beautiful, and heart-wrenching series which sensitively interweaves several stages in the life of surgeon Dorrigo Evans, from the passion of first love, to the unflinching depiction of life as a prisoner of war in occupied Burma. We are so very pleased to bring this truly exceptional adaptation to viewers.”
Justin Kurzel is set to helm the television adaptation, with Shaun Grant on board as the screenwriter. The pair have a history of successful collaborations, having worked together on projects such as Snowtown, True History of the Kelly Gang, and Nitram.
Flanagan was awarded The Man Booker Prize in 2014 (Image: Getty)
Produced by Curio Pictures, Sony Pictures Television will handle the global distribution of the series.
The show is poised to draw in fans of Elordi as well as avid readers, with the novel receiving an array of glowing reviews. A Google reviewer was captivated by the story, stating in a review: “I couldn’t put this down. Yes, I’m a WW2 tragic so that was a good start, but the language was so beautifully used and the love story so intense. I was hooked from page 1.”
An enthusiastic Goodreads user also expressed their admiration for the book, writing: “I cannot find the right word, or even collection of words, to describe Richard Flanagan’s THE NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH – it is more than ‘moving’, more than ‘gut-wrenching’, more than ‘provocative’, more than ‘beautiful’ … All I can really say is that it is a more than worthy winner of the 2014 Man Booker Prize.”
Echoing the sentiment, another reader exclaimed: “Wow! This is the best book I’ve read this year. It’s stunning.”
A release date for The Narrow Road to the Deep North is yet to be announced