Wolf Hall to be adapted for TV

The BBC has confirmed it is to adapt Hilary Mantel's Man Booker Prize-winning novel Wolf Hall into a TV mini-series.

The six-part drama, which will also take inspiration from Mantel's acclaimed follow-up Bring Up the Bodies, was announced by BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

Wolf Hall and its sequel follow the fictionalised life story of Thomas Cromwell, former chief minister of King Henry VIII, who schemes his way into the royal household.

Ms Hadlow said the decision was made as part of the BBC's plans to place greater focus on quality drama and follows recent successful historical adaptations on the station.

These include the BBC's Shakespeare season, which involved director Sam Mendes adapting Richard III, Henry IV Part I and Part II and Henry VIII for the small screen, to the acclaim of viewers and critics alike.

Ms Hadlow revealed that casting is yet to take place for the programme, though she is confident that interest will be high in the acting community for 'a great contemporary novel and a great adaptation'.

The screenplay for the series will be written by Peter Straughan, who scripted the recent big screen adaptation of John Le Carre's Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy, with production set to begin next year.