Bill Nighy, Gemma Arterton Join PBS/BBC 'The Portrait of a Lady' Adaptation

Bill Nighy, Gemma Arterton, and Nell Tiger Free are set to star in a new six-episode television adaptation of Henry James's "The Portrait of a Lady" for Masterpiece on PBS and the BBC, according to a report from Variety. The limited series is already in production, with Free leading the cast as the novel's protagonist, Isabel Archer.

Arterton will play the elegant schemer Madame Merle, while Nighy takes on the role of Mr. Touchett. Jim Sturgess will portray the calculating Gilbert Osmond. The ensemble cast also includes Miranda Richardson, Jack Wolfe, and Dean-Charles Chapman.

Who is directing the series?

The series is directed by Aisling Walsh from a screenplay by Rebecca Lenkiewicz. Filming is taking place across the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Croatia. The project is a production from Number 9 Films TV and Masterpiece, in association with FOX Entertainment Global.

In a statement from producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen, they expressed excitement for the casting, saying, "We’re excited to see Nell Tiger Free in the iconic role of Isabel Archer and Jim Sturgess in the equally iconic role of Gilbert Osmond." They added that James's story has not been made for television in nearly 60 years.

Where and when can I watch it?

The series is slated to debut on Masterpiece on PBS, the PBS app, and PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video in the U.S. and Canada. It will also air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K. A specific release date has not been set as of July 2026.