Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel Little Women may have been so upsetting that Joey had to put it in the freezer in Friends, but it's set to bring a little Christmas cheer to viewing schedules over the festive period with a new adaptation on BBC.
The classic novel is being brought to the small screen by Call The Midwife's Heidi Thomas, who is known for her tear-jerking plotlines. It will star four up-and-coming actresses in the lead roles as the March sisters; Maya Hawke as the tomboyish main character Jo, Willa Fitzgerald as the beautiful eldest sibling Meg, Annes Elwy as sweet but tragic Beth and Kathryn Newton as the youngest Amy.
WATCH: Little Women trailer
'Little Women is one of the most loved novels in the English language, and with good reason,' said Thomas. 'Its humanity, humour and tenderness never date, and as a study of love, grief and growing up it has no equal. There could be no better time to revisit the story of a family striving for happiness in an uncertain world, and I am thrilled to be bringing the March girls to a new generation of viewers.'
Executive Producer Colin Callender added: 'This is a character study of young women rich in texture and detail and it’s an honour to be able to bring it to life in this extended form with the great Heidi Thomas, one of the finest writers working in television today.'
Set during and after the American Civil War, it follows the sisters as they grow from children into young women, focussing on issues including loss, love and marriage. A previous adaptation for the big screen came out in 1994, and starred Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes and Christian Bale.
When is Little Women on TV?
There is no air date as of yet, but it is expected to be on the BBC in December around Christmas.
Who is in Little Women?
Meet the cast below...
Meet the cast of Little Women
1 of 4Maya Hawke
Maya Hawke-Thurman is the daughter of superstar actors Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. The 19-year-old attends New York's presitigious acting school Julliard, and has previousy starred in All Saints ad campaign, but this is her first acting gig.
2 of 4Annes Elwy
Annes is a rising star, who's film roles to date have included King Arthur: Excaliber Rising, The Passing and the upcoming thriller Apostle, in 2018.
3 of 4Willa Fitzgerald
Willa was recently the star of MTV's TV show remake of slasher thriller Scream, and has also starred in Alpha House, Royal Pains and The Following.
4 of 4Katherine Newton
20-year-old American actress Katherine Newton is best known for her roles in Paranomal Activity 4 and Supernatural, with Little Women marking her first role on British television.
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