Lily James leads the cast of The Pursuit of Love, a new romantic comedy-drama coming to BBC1 in May

The Pursuit of Love is a major new BBC1 adaptation of the Nancy Mitford classic which boasts an all-star cast including Downton Abbey’s Lily James.

Adapted by Emily Mortimer, the big production will premiere on BBC1 (see our for full listings) and BBCiPlayer in the UK and will be available on Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Emily Mortimer says: “I’ve always loved Nancy Mitford so when I was asked to adapt The Pursuit Of Love it was impossible to say no. It’s an outrageously funny and honest story, whose central character – the wild, love-addicted Linda Radlett – still reads as a radical.”

The Pursuit of Love release date

The Pursuit of Love starts on Sunday May 9 on BBC1 at 9pm. All three episodes will then be available to watch as a boxset on BBC iPlayer. A US release date hasn’t been given.

The Pursuit of Love – what’s it about?

Set in Europe between the two World Wars, the romantic comedy-drama follows the adventures of fearless Linda Radlett (Cinderella and Downton star Lily James) and her best friend and cousin Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham).

Obsessed with love and marriage, the pair are on the hunt for their ideal husband. But their friendship is rocked as Fanny decides to go for a steady life while Linda opts to follow her heart. This leads Linda down an increasingly wild path. The Beeb teases the show will pose “questions about freedom, love and sex and the mystery of the human heart”.

Talking about Linda, : “Linda has spark, passion, fire and curiosity, but doesn’t know what to do with it. Her father doesn’t let the girls have an education or leave the property. But she follows her heart and tries to find herself through the men she encounters — a communist, a conservative and a wild European.”

Who’s in it?

Emily Beecham as Fanny Logan

As well as Lily James and Emily Beecham, other key cast includes The Wire’s Dominic West and Dracula’s Dolly Wells. They play Linda’s parents, Uncle Matthew and Aunt Sadie Radlett. Also appearing is Shelock’s Andrew Scott as Lord Merlin, the Radlett’s eccentric neighbour and Emily Mortimer as Fanny’s mother. While Josh star Beattie Edmondson plays Louisa Radlett.

Linda and Fanny’s love interests include Messiah’s Assaad Bouab as Fabrice de Sauveterre, Penny Dreadful’s Shazad Latif as Alfred Wincham and White House Farm’s Freddie Fox as Tony Kroesig.

The Pursuit of Love – where was it filmed?

The drama was mainly shot around the Bristol and Bath area.

Is there a trailer?

Yes, one has just landed! The trailer runs at just over a minute and gives a fascinating glimpse into what to expect from the series. It’s certainly lavish and dare we say it a little risqué! Yep, judging by this short clip it’s the type of show you might be slightly embarrassed to watch with your nan!

The Pursuit of Love starts on Sunday May 9 on BBC1 at 9pm (see our TV Guide for full listings).

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