Helena Bonham Carter is to star in writer Nick Hornby’s first TV drama – Love, Nina – based on the memoirs of a nanny who worked for some of the leading lights of literary London.
The mini-series, which will go out over five half-hour episodes on BBC1, is based on Nina Stibbe’s award-winning book of the same name.
It is the first TV drama outing for Hornby, whose books include About a Boy, High Fidelity and Fever Pitch.
“Nina Stibbe’s book has already established itself as a much-loved piece of comic writing and I love it,” Hornby said. “Her observations and worldview were the inspiration for a show that we think captures the same spirit. It’s been a joy to write and we’re thrilled with the quality of the cast.”
Stibbe’s book, based around letters home to Leicestershire, recounts her time as nanny to the children of the London Review of Books editor in north London in the 1980s.
The BBC describes the drama as a “laugh-out-loud culture clash … that celebrates family and friendship in all its chaotic glory”.
The drama reunites Bonham Carter with director SJ Clarkson, they last worked together on BBC1 drama Toast, based on the autobiographical novel by food writer Nigel Slater.
Clarkson has been directing shows in the US, including the opening episodes of Marvel and Netflix’s AKA Jessica Jones, as well as Martin Scorsese’s Vinyl for HBO.
Bonham Carter will play Georgia, the mother of boys Joe and Max and Nina’s charges as nanny.
“It’s a joy to be working with Helena again and even more so to be collaborating on such wonderful material and with such a talented ensemble,” said Clarkson.
Nina is to be played by Faye Marsay, and the boys by Ethan Rouse and Harry Webster.
Filming is due to start in London in September, with production by See-Saw Films, which has credits including BBC2’s Top of the Lake, which starred Mad Men actor Elisabeth Moss.
