Lovers of Anthony Trollope, whose bicentenary was on April 24th, will be interested to learn that Julian Fellowes is adapting Dr Thorne for television. The book is apparently his favourite among those written by the great 19th century English novelist. Filming will begin later this year.
Perhaps this will provide another Darcy or Ross Poldark for female viewers…
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Dr Thorne himself is definitely worthy of devotion – a wonderful middle-aged hero, combining energy, kindness and honesty with dashes of pride and eccentricity. And best of all is that we follow his adventures in Trollope’s Framley Parsonage where something especially satisfying happens…
Heroes aside, Dr Thorne is to be relished for two splendid female characters: the tyrannical, snobbish Lady Arabella, ruthless in her ambition for her son to marry money, and Miss Dunstable, noted for her good humour, plain-speaking and generous loyalty.