The cast of the upcoming adaptation of Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy have said it was “high time” the BBC featured a period drama with an entirely non-white cast.
The adaptation is based on the acclaimed Seth novel - which is one of the longest books in history - set in 1950s India.
Taking place in post-partition India, the show follows four families over 18 months and, in particular, the efforts by Rupa Mehra's to arrange the marriage of her younger daughter, Lata.
It stars relative newcomer Tanya Maniktala as Lata, plus Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter and actress Tabassum Hashmi, or Tabu, best known for Life of Pi.
The series was shot entirely in India - a first for the BBC. The book was adapted for the small screen by Andrew Davies , who recently worked on Sanditon and the all-star Les Miserables.
Speaking to Vogue, Khatter, 24, Maniktala, 22, and Hashmi, 48, spoke about the importance of the BBC adaptation in terms of diversity on screen.
On the show's imminent release this year, Maniktala said: “High time.”
Khatter, who was born in Mumbai, added: “About time. An all-Indian cast is the only way to go about it."
Maniktala, who was born in New Delhi, continued: “You can try to understand the characters, but we embody those values, those principles. We have grown up with them.”
“Being in A Suitable Boy gave me a glimpse of how horrifying the situation was,” she continued.
One episode sees the cast enact a riot that “felt so real” she was left shaken afterwards.
The cast also spoke about how the show, set in a time of political unrest in India, reflects modern times.
“Political turmoil is all across the globe,” Maniktala said.
“Authenticity will be the beauty of it,” Khatter added. “The search was just to find truth in every scene, and play it how it feels real.”
Khatter also spoke about having author Seth - who in the past has said he would feel “anxious” about adapting the novel - on set.
He said: “I was cool to have him on set and just see him nod, like: “Yep, you got it!”
A Suitable Boy is due for release by the end of 2020.
Read the full feature in the June issue of Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands now.
