BBC picks up Nicole Kidman’s The Last Anniversary

The BBC has acquired the forthcoming Nicole Kidman-exec produced Australian drama The Last Anniversary.  

The six-part adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel is made by Blossom Films, Made Up Stories and Fifth Season for Binge, and was picked up earlier this year by AMC Networks. The comedy drama was originally ordered by the Foxtel Group for Binge, in association with the BBC. 

Moriarty is also behind the novels Big Little Lies and Apples Never Fall, which have been adapted into dramas. The latter has also been acquired by the BBC.  

The Last Anniversary is set on the fictitious Australian island of Scribbly Gum, where a woman inherits a house and becomes embroiled in the lives of three generations of women who live there. 

Moriarty, Kidman and Per Saari are executive producing for Blossom Films alongside Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh for Binge and Bruna Papandrea, Jodi Matterson, Steve Hutensky and Casey Haver for Made Up Stories.  

The lead writer is Samantha Strauss (Nine Perfect Strangers) and the director is John Polson (Law & Order: Organized Crime), both of whom will also exec produce. The cast is led by Teresa Palmer (A Discovery of Witches), Miranda Richardson (Good Omens) and Danielle Macdonald (The Tourist).  

Head of BBC programme acquisition Sue Deeks said: “The Last Anniversary is an entertaining drama full of vivid characters, comedy and romance, with a compelling mystery at its heart – I’m sure BBC viewers will thoroughly enjoy their visit to beautiful Scribbly Gum Island.” 

The series is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund.