Hayley Atwell has been swimming in a unique limbo for the last few months since reports that "Conviction" was cancelled, despite the fact that it kept airing. Back when "Agent Carter" fell to poor ratings, news that Atwell had landed a new role practically beat reports of that show's demise, but with news of Atwell's next adventure failing to appear, fans have been left wondering if she isn't quite as "it" as she was a year ago.
'Howard's End' with Hayley Atwell goes into production
Not only do we get Atwell in something that is clearly going to be a large production by television standards, but the adaptation is written by Kenneth Lonergan, who is currently riding the wave of attention being heaped upon "Manchester by the Sea," which goes into the Academy Awards with its star, Casey Affleck the front-runner for a Best Actor nod.
For those unfamiliar with the E.M. Forster novel, it makes for an ironically-timed look at the shifting social and class divisions at the turn of the century in England by way of three families: the intellectual Schlegels, the wealthy Wilcoxes, and the working class Basts. Though there are no real details on the adaptation, the opportunity exists for Lonergan to make some interesting and relevant political statements with the production.
Hayley Atwell takes on key role of Margaret Schlegel in 'Howard's End'
Hayley Atwell will play Margaret Schlegel, and the role marks a return to the more dramatic roles she played in several television mini-series prior to her appearance as Peggy Carter some six years ago.
Matthew MacFadyen, perhaps best known for "Ripper Street," plays Henry Wilcox. Tracey Ullman has also been cast as Aunt Juley Mund.
Director Hettie Macdonald may not be a household name in America, but she is a veteran director most well-known for the BAFTA-winning series "White Girl." She also famously directed the episode "Blink" of the new "Doctor Who" series, which won the 2007 Hugo and is widely regarded as one of the series' best efforts. It may not be quite what fans of Peggy Carter were looking for, but the classic tale is likely to be one of the most noteworthy television efforts of 2018, which is when the series will likely air.
