It may be Christmas, but latest BBC drama The Long Song is a haunting reminder of a period far from merry.
Based on the award-winning book of the same name by Andrea Levy, the show tells the story of the final days of slavery in Jamaica through the eyes of a survivor.
Played out over three nights, the historical drama is an uncomfortable yet gripping tale of a colonial past full of social injustices, with wider consequences than oppressors accounted for.
Here is everything you need to know about The Long Song:
What is The Long Song about?
The drama is based on a book of the same name from 2010, telling the story of a life of slavery as 300 years of oppression comes to an end in Jamaica. But instead of the horrific tales of a period rarely seen on screen, the adaptation offers hope and light born out of adversity.
Young woman July was born into slavery and soon set to work as a lady’s maid for mistress Caroline but a new arrival to their plantation, Robert, peaks both their interests – for different reasons. Robert has a sheer determination to change things, for both the free and the enslaved, and acted with humanity in the face of evil but with consequences that taught lessons and changed lives forever.
The Long Song is July’s account looking back over her life of survival, love, courage and strength.
Who stars in The Long Song?
British actress Tamara Lawrance stars as the lead, July, who is under the rule of her mistress Caroline, played by Hayley Atwell.
Jack Lowden plays kind-hearted Robert while Sir Lenny Henry is Godfrey, who is the head of the slaves.
When is The Long Song on?
The Long Song starts on December 18 on BBC One and airs over three nights.
