Based on Louisa May Alcott’s universally beloved novel, Little Women is a new three-hour adaptation from the award-winning creator of Call The Midwife, Heidi Thomas, and directed by Vanessa Caswill (Thirteen).

Set against the backdrop of a country divided, the story follows the four March sisters: Meg (Willa Fitzgerald), Jo (Maya Hawke), Beth (Annes Elwy), and Amy (Kathryn Newton) on their journey from childhood to adulthood while their father (Dylan Baker) is away at war.

Under the guidance of their mother Marmee (Emily Watson), the girls navigate what it means to be a young woman: from gender roles to sibling rivalry, first love, loss and marriage. Accompanied by the charming boy next door Laurie Laurence (Jonah Hauer-King), their cantankerous wealthy Aunt March (Angela Lansbury) and benevolent neighbour Mr. Laurence (Michael Gambon), Little Women is a coming-of-age story that is as relevant and engaging today as it was on its original publication in 1868.

Download the full press pack to find out how how Heidi Thomas adapted the novel, and how production cast one of the most iconic families in history. 

Little Women was commissioned by Piers Wenger and Charlotte Moore at the BBC, and is produced by Playground (Wolf Hall, Howards End) for BBC One. The series is a co-production with Masterpiece on PBS. The producer is Susie Liggat. Executive producers are Colin Callender and Sophie Gardiner for Playground, Heidi Thomas, Lucy Richer for the BBC and Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece.

Pictured: Amy March (Kathryn Newton) Jo March (Maya Hawke) Meg March (Willa Fitzgerald) Beth March (Annes Elwy)