Lifetime, A&E Network and HISTORY will air the limited series event based on Leo Tolstoy’s enduring novel “War and Peace.” Simulcasting in the U.S. on the three networks in January 2016, “War and Peace” features an all-star cast including SAG Award® and Film Independent Spirit Award winner Paul Dano (“12 Years a Slave,” “Little Miss Sunshine”), Lily James (“Cinderella,” “Downton Abbey”), James Norton (“Happy Valley”), Golden Globe® winner Gillian Anderson (“The X Files,” “Hannibal”), Oscar®, Golden Globe and BAFTA winner Jim Broadbent (“Moulin Rouge!,” “Iris”) and others.
Set against the backdrop of Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia, War and Peace is a story of passion, romance, scandal and deceit surrounding the rising and falling fortunes of five aristocratic families – the Bezukhovs, Bolkonskys, Drubetskoys, Kuragins and Rostovs – in the waning days of imperial Russia.
Produced by BBC Cymru Wales Drama, in partnership with The Weinstein Company, BBC Worldwide/Lookout Point and Lifetime, “War and Peace” was written by Emmy and BAFTA winner Andrew Davies (“House of Cards,” “Mr. Selfridge,” “Pride and Prejudice”) and directed by BAFTA nominee Tom Harper (“Peaky Blinders,” “The Scouting Book for Boys,” “Woman in Black: Angel of Death”). Principal photography took place in Russia, Lithuania and Latvia.
“War and Peace” is Executive Produced by BBC Wales Head of Drama Faith Penhale (“A Poet In New York,” “Doctor Who,” “Sherlock”) and Bethan Jones (“Sherlock,” “The Passing Bells,” “Atlantis”) for BBC Cymru Wales, Andrew Davies, with Harvey Weinstein (“Marco Polo,” “The Imitation Game,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) and Robert Walak (“Woman In Gold,” “Shame,” “Calvary”) for The Weinstein Company, and Simon Vaughan (“Parade’s End,” “Ripper Street”) for Lookout Point. The Producer is Julia Stannard (“The Great Train Robbery,” “United,” “The Awakening”).
