The Pursuit Of Love
- TV comedy drama
- BBC One
- 2021
- 3 episodes (1 series)
A comedy drama adaptation of Nancy Mitford's celebrated 1945 novel. Also features Lily James, Emily Beecham, Dominic West, Assaad Bouab, Dolly Wells and more.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1
Further details
1920s, Oxfordshire. On the brink of adulthood, Linda Radlett and her beloved cousin Fanny Logan are stuck in the countryside, impatiently waiting for life to begin so they can escape the confines of Alconleigh.
Linda, who has lived her life under the terrifying regime of Uncle Matthew, dreams of excitement and adventure. But Fanny, abandoned by her mother The Bolter and raised by her Aunt Emily, is more concerned with comfort and stability.
When their glamorous neighbour Lord Merlin brings Tony Kroesig to their coming out ball, Linda falls hopelessly in love with him. However, sensing Fanny's disapproval of the match, it's not long before Linda pushes Fanny away and leaves her beloved cousin feeling left behind.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Sunday 9th May 2021
- Time
- 9pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 60 minutes
Cast & crew
| Lily James | Linda Radlett |
| Emily Beecham | Fanny Logan |
| Dominic West | Uncle Matthew |
| Dolly Wells | Aunt Sadie |
| John Heffernan | Captain David "Davey" Warbeck |
| Shazad Latif | Alfred Wincham |
| Annabel Mullion | Aunt Emily |
| Freddie Fox | Tony Kroesig |
| Andrew Scott | Lord Merlin |
| Emily Mortimer | The Bolter |
| Beattie Edmondson | Louisa Radlett |
| Kitty Archer | Lavender |
| Steve Garti | Josh the Groom |
| Will Keen | Sir Leicester |
| Heather Rome | Lady Kroesig |
| Lily Aspell | Young Linda (Aged 8-12) |
| John Atterbury | Lord Stromboli |
| Jack Barton | Dull Angelic Young Man #1 |
| Connor Catchpole | Dull Angelic Young Man #2 |
| Tom Gaskin | Dull Angelic Young Man #3 |
| Oli Higginson | Colin (Undergraduate) |
| Georgina Morgan | Young Fanny (Aged 8-12) |
| May Nivola | Young Jassy |
| Aki Omoshaybi | Langston Hughes |
| Laurie Shepherd | Young Matt |
| Mark Tandy | Lord John Fort-William |
| Jim Sclavunos | London Ball Room Band |
| Nikolaj Torp Larsen | London Ball Room Band |
| Spider Stacy | London Ball Room Band |
| George Vjestica | London Ball Room Band |
| Nick Wilkinson | London Ball Room Band |
| Nancy Mitford | Writer |
| Emily Mortimer | Writer (Adapted By) |
| Florence Walker | Script Executive |
| Emily Mortimer | Director |
| Rhonda Smith | Producer |
| Charles Collier | Executive Producer |
| Matthew Read | Executive Producer |
| Frith Tiplady | Executive Producer |
| Emily Mortimer | Executive Producer |
| Lily James | Executive Producer |
| Angharad Wood | Executive Producer |
| Nicholas Marston (as Nick Marston) | Executive Producer |
| Lucy Richer | Executive Producer |
| Ayela Butt | Executive Producer |
| Ian Hogan | Line Producer |
| Gareth C. Scales | Editor |
| Cristina Casali | Production Designer |
| Jina Jay | Casting Director |
| Zac Nicholson | Director of Photography |
| Sinead O'Sullivan (as Sinéad Kidao) | Costume Designer |
| Claire Williams | Make-up Designer |
| Clint Mansell | Composer |
| Katie Driscoll | Graphics |
| George Vjestica | Musical Director |
| Arthur Pita | Choreographer |
| Steve Robinson | 1st Assistant Director |
| Chris Stoaling | 1st Assistant Director |
Press
The Pursuit Of Love review - absolutely glorious
Emily Mortimer's immaculate adaptation of Nancy Mitford's bestseller about the madcap Radlett family is an instant classic. What a magnificent treat to tuck into.
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian, 10th May 2021The Pursuit Of Love, BBC One review
Nancy Mitford novel makes a smashing small screen transfer.
Matt Wolf, The Arts Desk, 10th May 2021The Pursuit Of Love wins nearly 5 million viewers
But, critics including actress Tracy-Ann Oberman criticised the production as glorifying the Mitford family's association with fascism.
Adam Sherwin, i Newspaper, 10th May 2021The Pursuit Of Love is bold, barmy and never boring
Her adaptation of Nancy Mitford's novel features subtitles, freeze-frames and loud blasts of T Rex.
Rachel Cooke, The New Statesman, 10th May 2021Is the BBC cashing in on Bridgerton's sex appeal?
The Nancy Mitford adaptation was ground zero for that Dominic West-Lily James rumour. The Pursuit Of Love's promises a costume drama full of sex and scandal, but how does it compare to Netflix's hit period drama?
Alice Kemp-Habib, GQ, 9th May 2021The Pursuit Of Love review
Lily James pouts, struts and grumbles in this post-Bridgerton period bonkbuster.
Ed Cumming, The Independent, 9th May 2021The Pursuit Of Love, BBC1, review
A gleefully satirical snapshot of growing up and teenage friendship.
Gwendolyn Smith, i Newspaper, 9th May 2021The Pursuit Of Love, review
A jolly fun adaptation - just a shame no one told its leading lady.
Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 9th May 2021Pursuit Of Love proves we can't get enough of TV toffs
Emily Mortimer's adaptation manages to feel both modern and faithful to the original.
Gerard Gilbert, i Newspaper, 8th May 2021