Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen to star in 'Howards End' series

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Starz and the BBC are teaming up for the limited series Howards End, starring Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen and Tracey Ullman.

Manchester by the Sea filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan penned the small-screen adaptation of E.M. Forster's beloved novel. Hettie Macdonald has signed on to direct the four, hourlong episodes that will air on BBC One in the United Kingdom and Starz in the United States.

"Starz continues our commitment to bring quality drama to the screen with Howards End and we're delighted to once again work in partnership with the BBC and [producer] Colin Callender on this literary period piece," Carmi Zlotnik, president of programming for Starz, said in a statement Thursday.

Lucy Richer, BBC executive producer, added: "Kenneth Lonergan is one of our truly great contemporary voices, and his adaptation of this adored, timeless classic will surprise and delight a whole new audience with its timely and relevant themes."

Howards End is to film in and around London.

The book was previously adapted as a 1992 feature film starring Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson.