Hayley Atwell and Sir Lenny Henry will star in a TV adaptation of Andrea Levy’s bestselling novel The Long Song, the BBC has announced.

The three-part series will also star Tamara Lawrance and Jack Lowden.

Set during the final days of slavery in 19th-century Jamaica, the story follows the strong-willed young slave July, played by Lawrance.

Atwell plays the odious plantation owner Caroline Mortimer, while Lowden appears as Robert Goodwin, the charming new overseer who is determined to improve the plantation for the slaves and mistress alike.

Henry will play Godfrey in the BBC One series, which has been adapted by Sarah Williams from Levy’s book, and will be directed by Mahalia Belo.

The Long Song was shortlisted for the 2010 Man Booker prize and was the recipient of the 2011 Walter Scott prize.

Lawrance, who previously appeared in King Charles III and Undercover, said of her character July: “She relishes mutiny with wit and courage; finding ways to win in spite of her circumstances. She also rings true to Jamaica’s national heroes – Nanny, Paul Bogle and Sam Sharpe – who, by standing up for their own humanity, shifted world history.

“I believe stories like these illuminate the legacy of slavery in relation to where we are today. It’s all still relevant!”

Also joining the cast are the EastEnders actor Dona Croll, The Boy With the Topknot star Sharon Duncan-Brewster and Ayesha Antoine. [Source]