Modernizing Edith Wharton: A Chat with The Buccaneers Creator and EP

Article Overview

"The Buccaneers" is a classic novel adaptation that was never finished by the original author, Edith Wharton, but was completed by Marion Mainwaring in 1993.

Set in the 1870s, the upcoming Apple TV+ series disregards earlier adaptations, such as the 1995 BBC miniseries that had a different ending. It takes inspiration from Wharton's story, as it delves into the lives of a group of affluent American women aiming to secure marriages with noble Englishmen in London. However, they must navigate their way through hidden family secrets that have the potential to bring disgrace upon them.

The novel adaptation, The Buccaneers, joins the revered collection of classic novels, but with a unique twist: its original author never finished writing it. Edith Wharton sadly passed away before completing The Buccaneers, which was eventually published posthumously in 1938. Although Wharton left behind extensive notes outlining the story, no author took up the challenge of continuing her work until Marion Mainwaring in 1993 (followed closely by a BBC miniseries with an alternative ending in 1995). Interestingly, the upcoming Apple TV+ show will offer yet another fresh interpretation, faithfully following in Wharton's footsteps while disregarding previous versions.

In the 1870s, The Buccaneers tells the story of a group of young American women from wealthy families who travel to London in the hopes of marrying titled lords. Leading the group is Conchita Closson, played by Alisha Boe from the TV show Revenge, who recently married Lord Richard Marable, portrayed by Josh Dylan. Conchita's best friend Nan St. George, played by Kristine Frøseth, finds herself torn between the kindhearted Duke of Tintagel, played by Guy Remmers, and his less fortunate friend Guy Thwaite, portrayed by Matthew Broome. Meanwhile, Nan's sister Jinny St. George, played by Imogen Waterhouse, encounters her own troublesome lord. All the while, they keep secret that could damage their family's reputation. The cast also features Josie Totah and Aubri Ibrag as Mabel and Lizzy Elmsworth, respectively, and Christina Hendricks from Mad Men as Nan and Jinny's mother. In an interview with our website, creator Katherine Jakeways and EP Beth Willis discuss their journey in reimagining The Buccaneers, their approach to completing Edith Wharton's work, and why they believe their cast is perfect for their roles.

Katherine Jakeways & Beth Willis Talk The Buccaneers

Regarding our website: I learned that you two had a meeting to discuss various projects before eventually converging on The Buccaneers. Could you share what aspects of Edith Wharton's remarkable unfinished novel inspired each of you?

Beth Willis expressed her deep affection for the novel "The Buccaneers" and the strong bond between the characters in it. She has cherished a copy of the book for over a decade due to its humor, insightful observations about human nature, and the captivating clash between American and British cultures. The essence of the show lies in this clash, which resonates with her.

During a meeting for other projects, Beth and Katherine, the writer, discovered their shared passion for adaptations and period dramas. Katherine's writing style stands out from any other Beth has encountered before. The scripts she creates are immensely enjoyable, filled with truthfulness, and worthy of being devoured multiple times. Receiving each script feels like a joyous occasion, akin to Christmas day. Beth vividly recalls the initial draft Katherine wrote, which differed greatly from the final show. The revelation left her exhilarated and, in her excitement, she even ran through the office with the script, causing her colleagues to question her sanity. Since then, their journey has been an exciting rollercoaster ride.

Katherine Jakeways: Honestly, I wasn't familiar with the book. When Beth recommended it, I was embarrassed to admit I hadn't read it. However, I eventually did read it and was immediately captivated by the characters created by Edith Wharton. Despite being set in the 1870s and written in the 1930s, they felt incredibly relatable and modern.

As I read it in 2023, I couldn't help but think that these could be girls I know personally, whether friends or family. The way they conversed and interacted with each other was so similar to the women and girls in my life. It was thrilling to realize that Wharton had already captured these characters so well. The story is set up brilliantly, with the girls coming to England and the ensuing clash of cultures. It presents a tempting opportunity to satirize English aristocracy and conventions. However, I hope we also challenge those stereotypes and reveal that everyone is complex, and not all conform to those expectations.

But the book is truly a remarkable gift. When I first laid eyes on it, I immediately recognized its potential. We have embarked on a journey that diverges from the book in various ways, naturally. We have used it as a foundation, enhancing the characters and introducing new elements. Yet, at its core, the essence of Edith Wharton's work remains intact.

Speaking of changes, in the past, there has been a heated debate within the literary community regarding Mainwaring's completion and the ending of the BBC miniseries. How does your approach to this project distinguish itself as a unique adaptation of the story?

Beth Willis: We deliberately chose not to use a version of the book that contains the ending. Instead, we managed to find copies with Edith Wharton's synopsis at the end. The book concludes as she originally finished it, so we are unable to provide insight on those alternative editions. We have not read them.

Katherine Jakeways: We were just old enough to have seen the miniseries when it aired, and I vaguely remember knowing about it during my university years. However, once we decided to take on this project and create our own version, we intentionally avoided watching the 1990s miniseries. While we have heard things about it from others, we haven't actually seen it to this day. So I imagine our adaptation is quite different. We wanted to make it our own. Have you seen it?

Beth Willis: Whether it's that particular version of Buccaneers or other period dramas that we've all cherished over the years, it felt like it was time for a fresh take. In 2023, we want to keep all the elements that make period dramas captivating - the costumes, the settings, and the romantic relationships. But we also want to introduce characters who are more complex, more authentic, and, as Katherine mentioned, reflect our lives and friendships.

I hope that by doing that, we have created an extraordinary period drama show that encompasses all the elements we adore. Crucially for us, the show centers on female friendship, and the most significant love story of all is the one between the girls.

"You did a great job with that. I really enjoyed the friendship and all the girls. By the way, did you have specific cast members in mind from the beginning, or was there someone who was particularly difficult to find?

Katherine Jakeways: We didn't have anyone specific in mind when we started - not at all. We were actually excited about discovering new talent. Although Kristine, Alisha, Josie, and Imogen had some prior experience in the industry, they were not initially considered. The casting process was incredibly extensive, but in a wonderful way. We truly enjoyed it and sometimes I look back on it fondly because we encountered so many talented young actors - both girls and boys."

We had plenty of options to choose from, and at times it felt like we would never find the right fit. However, every time we saw the chosen cast or their audition tapes, we were immediately impressed and thought, "Brilliant!"

When we met Alisha for the role of Conchita, it genuinely felt like we were meeting the real Conchita. Although she doesn't possess all of Conchita's characteristics in real life, she was perfect for the part and had an infectious energy. Then there's Kristine, who plays Nan – she is incredibly intelligent and curious. During her first Zoom session, she asked numerous questions that no one else had asked before. She wanted to understand the character and how to portray her truthfully. It was evident that she was truly engaged and connected with the role of Nan.

Matthew, who portrays Guy Thwaite - and then confusingly, Guy Remmers, who portrays Theo - both of them were incredibly inexperienced. They had never worked in the industry before. Matthew, in fact, hadn't even completed his drama school training when we first encountered him, and he ultimately didn't finish it. We swiftly whisked him away to Scotland, and he has remained there ever since. We discovered them both as complete novices, and they were astonishing - particularly Matthew, who immediately stood out as the perfect fit for the role once we met him.

About The Buccaneers

The Buccaneers, enchanting and rebellious, represent the offspring of America's emerging wealthy class. Unfazed by the relentless attempts of England's most esteemed governesses to tame them, they are journeying to London with a single aim: to captivate and secure an aristocrat. Though financially limited, the Buccaneers seek a partner of elevated status, ensuring a flawless union.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of Edith Wharton and her classic novel "The Buccaneers," I am thrilled about the upcoming Apple TV+ series adaptation. The fact that the show will disregard earlier adaptations and take inspiration directly from Wharton's story is particularly exciting, as it suggests that the creators are committed to staying true to the spirit of the original work.

The series also boasts a talented cast, including Alisha Boe, Kristine Frøseth, and Christina Hendricks, who I believe will bring Wharton's characters to life in a fresh and engaging way. Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about this new adaptation of "The Buccaneers" and eager to see how the creators will bring Wharton's unfinished novel to life on screen.