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Playboys and fallen women: the wild aristocrats who inspired The Pursuit of Love
Nancy Mitford s novel, freshly adapted for the BBC, drew heavily on her social circle – and in particular her own eccentric family
10 May 2021 • 10:06am
The Pursuit of Love s Lord Merlin (Andrew Scott, centre) was inspired by Gerald Berners
Credit: Robert Viglasky/BBC
When it comes to novel The Pursuit of Love – a new adaptation of which began on BBC One last night, written and directed by Emily Mortimer – the description that springs to mind is “larger than life”. Ironic, then, that Nancy Mitford’s famous tragicomic satire of English aristocracy in the run-up to the Second World War was in fact drawn closely from reality. Her dazzling and deranged characters are loosely disguised portraits of the blue-blooded circles in which she and her infamous sisters mixed.
The Pursuit of Love - what you need to know if you re giving episode 2 a go
BBC series staring Lily James and Dominic West was filmed in the South West
Andrew Scott makes his entrance as Lord Merlin in the Pursuit of Love (Image: Theodora Films Limited & Moonage Pictures Limited/Robert Viglasky)
There were some familiar places amid the familiar faces as the BBC started its three-part adaptation of The Pursuit of Love last Sunday at 9pm, much of which was filmed in the South West.
Taking the hallowed slot in the schedules vacated by ratings juggernaut Line of Duty, the Beeb will be hoping the star power of Lily James, Dominic West and Andrew Scott will help retain some of the police drama s audience.
The Pursuit of Love cast, locations and episodes as drama airs on BBC
The full cast list and details on where The Pursuit of Love starring Lily James and Dominic West was filmed
20:45, 9 MAY 2021
The Pursuit of Love cast, locations and episodes as drama airs on BBC (Image: Press Association Images)
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It wouldn’t be the first time the acting profession has been labelled incestuous.
But a glance at the star-strewn cast for new BBC drama The Pursuit Of Love suggests that a number of them were extremely well acquainted long before the series started filming last year.
Not only does Emily Mortimer write, direct and act in the much anticipated show, she appears to have employed at least 12 members of her family and close friends in the production – including her mother, two children and two nephews.
The three-part series, which starts next Sunday, is based on Nancy Mitford’s classic novel and tells the tale of the Radletts, a family loosely based on Mitford’s with her six aristocratic siblings.