An epic adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s critically acclaimed novel also starring Ciarán Hinds and Odessa Young
"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 BBC viewers.—" Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition
The BBC has acquired The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a sweeping new adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Curio Pictures and Sony Pictures Television.
The series is a five-part saga charting the life of Dorrigo Evans, played by Jacob Elordi (Euphoria, Saltburn) as a young man, with Ciarán Hinds (Kin, Belfast) as the older Dorrigo, through his passionate love affair with Amy Mulvaney, played by Odessa Young (Manodrome, The Stand), his time held captive in a WW2 POW camp, and his later years spent as a revered surgeon and reluctant war hero.
An intimate character study of a complex man, the epic drama is a compelling portrayal of the courage and cruelty of war, and a timeless love story that sustains one through the darkest of times.
Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, says: “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 BBC viewers”.
“The Narrow Road to the Deep North is an epic tale of the sustaining power of love under the harshest of circumstances. Curio is honoured to help bring to this spectacular story to life with creators Shaun Grant and Justin Kurzel, novelist Richard Flanagan and our brilliant cast and crew. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.” said Curio Pictures’ Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner, who both serve as executive producers.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North (5x45’) is produced by Curio Pictures and distributed globally by Sony Pictures Television. The series is directed by Justin Kurzel and adapted by writer Shaun Grant from Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name.
Porter, Gardner, Kurzel, Grant and Flanagan are also executive producers, with Alexandra Taussig producing. Principal production funding is provided by Screen Australia, with assistance from the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW and PDV Funds.