Forbidden love

A tale of passion and politics comes to the screen in BBC1’s lavish new drama set in 1950s India

- ELAINE REILLY

When it comes to turning great works of literature into compelling, unmissable TV dramas, no one does it better than Andrew Davies.

The veteran writer has a long list of hits to his name, from Pride and Prejudice and Tipping the Velvet to more recent series such as War & Peace and Les Misérables.

So who better to bring Vikram Seth’s 1993 novel A Suitable Boy to the screen in a lavish six-part series featuring sumptuous costumes, stylish weddings and stunning locations?

Set in 1951, shortly after India’s independence from Britain, A Suitable Boy follows the parallel stories of free-spirited young literature student Lata Mehra and enchanting courtesan Saeeda Bai.

We first meet Lata as her widowed mother Rupa tries to arrange a suitable match for her youngest daughter.

Rupa is basking in the success of eldest daughter Savita’s marriage to university lecturer Pran. However, Lata defies her mother’s wishes and becomes involved with three very different suitors over the course of several months.