Get Your First Look at Period Drama 'Beecham House'
U.K. network ITV and PBS' Masterpiece released a first look at upcoming period drama Beecham House, and it looks as splashy and intriguing as anything we might have expected.
The six-part series takes place in late 18th century Delhi, before the British ruled the region, and depicts the fortunes of the residents of an imposing mansion called Beecham House, surrounded by acres of exotic woods and pristine lawns.
Tom Bateman, most recently seen in Amazon’s Vanity Fair, stars as the enigmatic, soulful John Beecham, a handsome former soldier who purchases the magnificent house in order to start a new life with his family.
Wealthy and distinguished, John has witnessed profiteering and exploitation during his time with the controlling East India Company and has resolved to conduct his business as a trader in a more equitable manner. Determined to escape his previous life, John appears haunted by his past, but is inspired to become an honorable member of the region’s trading community.
Bateman is joined by an ensemble of British acting favorites, including Downton Abbey’s Lesley Nichol, Mr. Selfridge’s Gregory Fitoussi, Endeavour’s Dakoka Blue Richards, Victoria’s Leo Suter, Pallavi Sharda, Adil Ray and more.
Watch the first trailer for yourselves below:
The series comes from Gurinder Chadha, the co-writer, producer and director of mega-popular indie film Bend it Like Beckham.
“Beecham House is a passion project that is driven by my commitment to telling diverse, emotionally engaging stories for mainstream international audiences. I am thrilled to be working with Polly Hill and ITV Drama who share my belief that period drama can be entertaining, ambitious and relevant to key issues of today,” Chadha said in a statement. “I grew up with Raj dramas like Jewel in the Crown, The Far Pavilions and A Passage To India. Beecham House is my chance to tell those stories from a British Asian perspective.”
The drama is set to debut on in the U.K. sometime this summer, but there’s no word yet on when fans can expect to see the series in America. Given the likely Masterpiece schedule for the next few months – which likely includes Grantchester, Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and new series Press – it’s not 100% clear where it might slot in. Perhaps towards the end of 2019? If we’re lucky?
What do you think of Beecham House so far? Does it look like something you’d watch? Let’s discuss.
