The three-part series is an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel of the same title, which is being helmed by Vanessa Caswill (Thirteen) based on a script from Heidi Thomas (Call the Midwife).
Originally published across two volumes in 1868 and subsequently 1869, ‘Little Women’ follows four sisters as they grow up amidst the American Civil War.
The BBC production is due to begin filming next month, with the title expected on the small screen in 2018. Susie Liggat (Cockneys vs Zombies) produces.
At ninety-one years of age, Lansbury will play the difficult Aunt March, a wealthy relative of the family. Best known for ‘Murder, She Wrote’ she was presented with an Honorary Oscar in 2014 for her inspiration to generations of actors.
Gambon was also recently named as the next recipient of the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award and will play the family’s neighbour Mr Laurence. His recent roles include Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise.
The sisters at the core of ‘Little Women’ will be played by Maya Hawke (Jo), Willa Fitzgerald (Meg), Annes Elwy (Beth) and Kathryn Newton (Amy).
‘Little Women’ has had many previous adaptations from as early as 1918 (Harley Knoles) to 1933 (George Cukor) and the 1994 version directed by Gillian Armstrong starring Kirsten Dunst (Fargo), Winona Ryder (A Scanner Darkly), Claire Danes (Homeland) and Susan Sarandon (Stepmom).
