The Long Song: release date, plot, cast, photos

Based on the Booker-shortlisted novel by Andrea Levy, The Long Song is set in Jamaica on the cusp of the Baptist War in 1831. Also known as the Christmas Rebellion, this revolt was a major influence on the British abolition of slavery in 1833.

The story follows July, who’s born to a field slave on the Amity sugar plantation. She’s taken from her mother by the owner of the plantation, Caroline, and trained as her personal maid in the great house. But when the Baptist War happens, the future of Amity is called into question by a new leader. Can this leader’s ideals cut through hundreds of years of historic and horrific obedience?

Behind the series is writer Sarah Williams, who was also co-wrote the BBC adaptation of Small Island from another appraised novel by Levy.

Who's in the cast of The Long Song?

Playing July is Tamara Lawrance, who we last saw in On Chesil Beach and the Mike Bartlett BBC drama King Charles III. The inscrutable plantation owner Caroline is being tackled by Hayley Atwell (Howards End, Christopher Robin), and Leo Bill (Peterloo) is playing her brother John. And the new overseer Robert Goodwin is being played by Jack Lowden (Dunkirk).

Tamara Lawrance and Haylet Atwell as July and Caroline

What's The Long Song release date?

All three episodes will air on BBC One within one week, on the evenings of the 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th December at 9pm.

Watch the new trailer below.