Jim broadbent and vanessa redgrave star in the go-between

A nostalgic tale about lost innocence, humanity and social hierarchy at the beginning of the 20th Century, LP Hartley’s novel The Go-Between was a bestseller when it was published in 1953.

Now, 62 years on, an adaptation by The Musketeers writer Adrian Hodges is set to bring Hartley’s work to a whole new generation as part of BBC1’s season of 20th-century classics. The story

begins with elderly Leo Colston piecing together his memories after finding his childhood diary, then skips back to the summer of 1900, when Leo is the guest of his school friend Marcus

Maudsley at his luxurious country-estate home. It is here that he develops a crush on Marcus’s older sister, Marian. When Marcus falls ill and Leo is left to his own devices, he agrees to

become a secret go-between for Marian and farmer Ted Burgess, and is unwittingly drawn into their dangerous game of deceit and desire. The older incarnation of Leo is played brilliantly by

Jim Broadbent, while Vanessa Redgrave lends further weight to the adaptation as an older Marian. Both stars had an emotional connection to the piece: Vanessa’s father, Michael,  played the

older Leo in the award-winning 1971 film version of The Go-Between and Jim Broadbent appeared as an uncredited extra in the same adaptation in his first film role.  “It’s exciting that we’ve

attracted two such brilliant actors to the parts of the older Leo and Marian, but in Vanessa Redgrave and Jim Broadbent it’s also thrilling there is such a strong connection with Joseph

Losey’s well-loved film version from the 1970s,” says writer Adrian.  “Our version of The Go-Between is a very different film for a new generation of viewers, but Vanessa’s appearance will

bring back happy memories of her father Michael’s performance, and it is both lovely and moving to find Jim made his very first appearance in the movie.” Scottish actress Joanna Vanderham,

who plays the younger Marian, found the book compelling.  “I got absorbed into this world,” she says. “The way it’s written is incredibly perceptive from Leo’s point of view, as an

adolescent boy, and I think we’ve done that in the film as well.” The 23 year old was also instantly drawn to her character. “I love Marian’s confidence and the fact that she’s so willing to

challenge the status quo,” Joanna says. “Marian is one of those people who, when she is talking to you, you are the focus of her entire universe and when she isn’t talking to you, you want

her to be talking to you.  Marian’s clandestine affair with Ted has the potential to destroy her family’s plans to marry her off to Viscount Trimingham, and their gripping love triangle is

at the heart of the story. “Marian loves Ted with every fibre of her being and that’s what makes it so tragic that they can’t be together,” Joanna reflects. “Trimingham is a sweet, fine man

and she knows it’s her duty, but she is angry about what is being asked of her.” Joanna was also impressed with the talents of child actor Jack Hollington as young Leo. “Working with him has

been eye-opening,” she says. “He had me convinced for five and a half weeks that he loved me!” In fact, Joanna is confident that viewers will enjoy the drama as much as she did making it.

“Set your expectations high and they will be met. It’s going to be magical.”                       THE GO-BETWEEN, SUNDAY, 9PM, BBC1