Filmmaker hopes forgotten novel could be Glasgow's Bridgerton

A woman, Ashley Jensen, with blonde hair poses in front of a grand looking building. She has both her arms outstretched and is pouting. She is wearing a costume dress which is orange and green tartan. — Image caption,
Ashley Jensen also features in the trailer for the programme

Pauline McLean

Arts Correspondent

6 December 2024

Updated 7 December 2024

When producers Sarah Purser and Tommy Gormley moved into a Victorian terrace in the west end of Glasgow, the previous owner left them a card, a bottle of wine and a copy of Guy McCrone's 1947 trilogy of novels Wax Fruit.

The novels tell the story of the Moorhouse family who rise from humble beginnings on an Ayrshire farm to the heights of 19th century Glasgow society.

"They'd marked the page where the fabulous heroine Bel moves into Grosvenor Terrace, and realises she's made it," says Sarah.

"I loved the books, devoured them all and thought these would be so great for TV."

Actor Bill Paterson is dressed in a period costume consisting of a long burgundy jacket, blue cravat and tartan trousers. He is leaning against an old-fashioned chair while standing in front of a white marble fireplace and mirror. Next to him is Julie Cadzow, also dressed in a costume. Her outfit is a burgundy and blue tartan dress and jacket.

Mark Mainz

Bill Paterson and Juliet Cadzow signed up to to make a short trailer for a TV adaptation of Guy McCrone's 1947 trilogy 'Wax Fruit'

Two women and a man stand in a room full of people. On the left, Elaine C Smith, who has brown hair and is wearing a black dress with jewels on the sleeves. She is linking arms with Tommy Gormley. He is smiling, wearing glasses and a blue suit. On the right is Sarah Purser, who has blonde hair which is tied back and showing off some earrings. She is wearing a black jacket and a necklace.

Mark Mainz

Producers Tommy Gormley and Sarah Purser stand with Elaine C Smith (far left) at a civic reception for Wax Fruit

More than 20 years later she's moved closer to her dream of turning the "buried treasure" of the novels into a TV show.

In an attempt to drum up interest in the project, she has made a seven-minute teaser film with an impressive cast - including Martin Compston, Shirley Henderson, and Elaine C. Smith.

Shetland star Ashley Jensen and her husband Kenny Doughty are also among the acting talent for the trailer as well as veteran actor Bill Paterson.

"I have never seen Scotland represented on television like this. Vibrant, aspirational and confident," Jensen said.

"It's epic and important within our Scottish culture to celebrate all that we are and how we got here. I am thrilled and excited and proud to be part of this project."

Also on the credits is 14-year-old Frankie Corio, who won plaudits for her role in Aftersun. She plays Phoebe, the orphaned half sister of the Moorhouse family.

"I'm so excited to be part of Wax Fruit," Corio told BBC Scotland News.

"I love the character of Phoebe and I'm excited to be filming in Scotland. I love that people across the world will be able to see what I love about my country."

A young girl, sits on some steps outside next to a brick wall, She has dark hair which is tied back. She is wearing a period costume which is made up of a blue jacket, orange neck scarf and gloves.

Mark Mainz

Frankie Corio plays the key role of Phoebe in the seven minute trailer

Actress Shirley Henderson is dressed in a period costume. She has dark hair which is styled on top of her head. She is holding a slice of cake on a saucer and taking a bite of it from a fork. She is sitting in front of two windows and greenery from a garden can be seen in the background.

Mark Mainz

Shirley Henderson is among an array of acting talent who star in the short trailer for the project

The star-studded cast filmed the trailer for the project at Holmwood House in Glasgow earlier this year and the producers are now hoping there will be interest in making the full series.

"We're doing it all tapsalteerie," Sarah Purser says, using a Scots word meaning topsy turvy, which is used in the books.

"Getting this enormous show off the ground is no mean feat and I felt a traditional route wasn't going to necessarily work so we just started to approach people and start making it."

'Cream of the crop'

The books – a huge hit in the 1940s, especially in the US – reflects the harsh reality of poverty in Glasgow in the 19th century, and Sarah believes their adaptation will do the same.

She also believes it can tap into an international market which is already interested in Scotland because of shows like Outlander.

Sarah said: "We've all seen Outlander, Sense And Sensibility and Bridgerton but no-one has seen this city in that way before.

"We've got the cream of the crop of Scottish talent and great stories.

"We have this incredible city as a backdrop in this amazing period in time. I think people will want to watch that."

Having raised attention, Sarah and her company Little White Rose Films, must now raise the finance to make her dream reality.

Support from Screen Scotland means the first episode, written by Alastair Galbraith, is ready for production.

Until then, the Moorhouse family must await their moment in the spotlight.

'Cream of the crop'

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