We are delighted to welcome back BAFTA-award winning writer Sandy Welch as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of her classic TV adaptation, North and South.

The BBC period drama of Elizabeth Gaskell’s ground-breaking novel starred Richard Armitage as handsome millowner John Thornton opposite Daniela Denby-Ashe as beautiful but complex heroine Margaret Hale.

Over two decades the series has developed an international fan base with admirers across the globe. The romantic screen story set against the industrial backdrop of Victorian Manchester has encouraged new readers of the original novel and even spin-off fan fiction.

Screenwriter Sandy is responsible for top TV adaptations including Our Mutual Friend, Jane Eyre and Emma. Her adaptation of North and South was a huge hit, perfectly encapsulating the story, themes and atmosphere of Elizabeth Gaskell’s original novel.

So how did she interpret the story for the small screen? What themes did she uncover? Why does she think her TV series continues to hold such appeal? Now is your chance to hear the inside story from this incredible writer as we celebrate two decades of our favourite period drama.

The interview with Sandy Welch will be led by Libby Tempest, Vice-chair of the Gaskell Society. And if that’s not enough, we have got some amazing guests to join our panel after the interview including:

• Prof Michael Sanders – Professor of 19th Century Writing at University of Manchester, researching the relationship between culture and politics in 19th century working-class radicalism and Chartism.
• Elizabeth Williams – Former Chair of the Gaskell Society, Elizabeth Williams taught in a variety of institutions and has been a trustee of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House.
• Caroline Malcolm-Boulton – known as The Scribbler CMB, Caroline always cherished the classics and is now a fanfiction writer and journalist.
• Trudy Brasure – Trudy Brasure has published two North and South variation novels and currently runs a blog about the book and TV series.

The interview will be approx 1 hour long, with 30 min panel afterwards.

Illustration by Lucy Morris