"Downton Abbey' series creator Julian Fellowes has announced his plans of adapting one of his favorite novels about a love story that transpires between an aristocrat and an unprivileged girl for his latest ITV period drama.
Written by Anthony Trollope, "Doctor Thorne' revolves around the story of Dr. Thomas Thorne who resides in the Greshamsbury village of Barsetshire, together with his attractive niece. Mary, a penniless yet talented lady, has grown up with the Gresham sisters, namely Augusta, Beatrice and Alexandrina, as well as their brother Frank. The siblings' home is known for being one of the greatest houses at Greshamsbury Park.
However, when the Lady Arabella Gresham learns that her son Frank is attracted to Dr. Thorne's impoverished niece, she is appalled by such circumstances as she had been expecting him to choose a wealthy spouse as a means of saving the family estate.
Published in 1858, "Doctor Thorne' is the third novel in Trollope's book series titled "Chronicles of Barsetshire.'
Lord Fellowes already expressed his excitement in working on the TV adaptation of one his favorite novels.
"As a lifetime devotee of Trollope, my own favourite among the great nineteenth century English novelists and certainly the strongest influence over my work that I am conscious of, it is tremendously exciting and satisfying to know that my adaptation of one of his best-loved novels is coming to ITV," the series creator said.
According to ITV's director of drama Steve November, the network is thrilled to be collaborating with Fellowes for another TV project, describing the "Doctor Thorne' drama as a classic and profound story.
"It's a rich and multilayered story of class and social standing and a timeless love story which Julian has brought to life brilliantly with his inimitable wit and warmth," November said.
The TV adaptation of "Doctor Thorne' will be a three-part series with which filming will begin later this year.
Meanwhile, the next season for "Downton Abbey' will be the show's final one, although network executives are reportedly considering a movie version of the period drama hit.
In addition, Lord Fellowes is expected to come up with a "Downton Abbey' spinoff titled "The Gilded Age', which follows the story of high society families in New York and is set in the late 19th century.
