Eleanor Cotton’s award-winning novel The Luminaries is to be adapted for television by the BBC. Set on New Zealand’s South Island against the backdrop of the 1860s gold rush, the series will start filming in New Zealand in November, and be aired on BBC2 and TVNZ.
Eva Green will play Hokitika prostitute Lydia Wells and Irish actress Eve Hewson will play Anna Wetherell. Invercargill-raised Marton Csokas joins the cast as the villainous Francis Carver.
The Luminaries won the Man Booker prize in 2013. “Ever since I read Eleanor’s incredible novel I’ve been completely captivated by the rich world she has created. What an honor to bring this beautiful and original work to the screen,” said Claire McCarthy who will be directing the series.
