The Long Song is a three-part adaptation of Andrea Levy’s best-selling novel set during the final days of slavery in 19th century Jamaica. It follows the trials, tribulations and survival of wily, strong-willed slave, July.
July is born to field slave Kitty, at the Amity sugar cane plantation, run by John Howarth and his younger sister Caroline. Caroline decides she wants to train the adorable July as her personal maid. So July is taken from her mother and forced to live in the great house.
Who is Andrea Levy?
Andrea Levy is acclaimed as one of the key British black novelists writing today. The Long Song is based on her own family history.
Levy was born in England to Jamaican parents who came to Britain in 1948. She attended writing workshops in her mid-30s and began writing the novels that she, as a young woman, had always wanted to read: entertaining novels that reflect the experience of black Britons.
Who's in The Long Song?
The cast of The Long Song
Tamara Lawrance. Tamara debuted in BBC drama Undercover as Clemency Johnson and also played Jess in King Charles III. Lawrance leads the cast as the wily, strong-willed July.
Hayley Atwell. Hayley recently played Margaret Schlegel in Howards End, and is famous for playing Peggy Carter in Avengers. Atwell plays Caroline Mortimer.
Jack Lowden. Jack played Nikolai Rostov in the BBC adaptation of War & Peace before starring at Collins in Dunkirk. Lowden plays Robert Goodwin.
When's The Long Song on?
The Long Song airs on Tuesday 18 December at 9pm on BBC One and will run daily for another two episodes.
Watch the trailer
Like what you see? Don't forget to watch The Long Song on BBC One at 9pm on 18 December and on BBC iPlayer.