The BBC has chosen Vikram Seth's 'A Suitable Boy' as its first period drama zero white characters. Written by Andrew Davies, the book will be converted into an eight-part series, filming for which will begin later this year. BBC's head of drama, Piers Wenger said it was part of “a deliberate gamble” to adapt a novel with no white characters. He said, “We know that the biggest risks deliver the biggest hits and in a landscape which is so fast changing, ideas need to be well ahead of the curve.”
BBC's announcement came just after its regulator Ofcom said they found audience feedback showing the channel was too “focused on middle-aged, middle class audiences” and that it could “do more for the wider public, ethnic minorities and younger groups.” It also said that “too many older people, especially women, feel they're negatively portrayed on TV.” BBC also announced other shows are 'The Little Women', 'The War of the Worlds', and 'Black Narcissus'.”
'A Suitable Boy', released in 1993, is one of the longest English language novels to have ever been published. It is about widow Rupa Mehra's efforts to find a suitable boy for her 19 year old daughter Lata.
