Jane Austen's final, unfinished novel Sanditon being adapted by ITV

A 'sumptuous' and 'rich, romantic, family saga' from screenwriter Andrew Davies

Jane Austen‘s final, unfinished novel is being adapted by screenwriter Andrew Davies, who previously adapted the Colin Firth-starring Pride and Prejudice, into an ITV series.

Telling the story of the ”joyously impulsive, spirited and unconventional Charlotte Heywood,” Sanditon was written only months before the author’s death in 1817 and published posthumously.

The book’s 11 chapters have been described as a ”sumptuous” and “rich, romantic, family saga” by dramatist Davies, who has previously worked on the BBC’s adaptations of War And Peace, Vanity Fair, and Middlemarch.

“Jane Austen managed to write only a fragment of her last novel before she died – but what a fragment,” Davies said.

“Sanditon tells the story of the transformation of a sleepy fishing village into a fashionable seaside resort, with a spirited young heroine, a couple of entrepreneurial brothers, some dodgy financial dealings, a West Indian heiress, and quite a bit of nude bathing. 

“It’s been a privilege and a thrill for me to develop Sanditon into a TV drama for a modern audience.”

Executive producer Belinda Campbell said: “Andrew Davies’ compelling scripts bear all the hallmarks of the biting social commentary and realism that makes Jane Austen one of the most widely read writers in English literature.”

Casting is yet to be announced for the Masterpiece co-production and filming will begin in spring next year.

Additional reporting by agencies.