BBC and A24 Adapt Kaliane Bradley’s ‘The Ministry of Time’ for Television

The BBC and A24 are moving forward with a television adaptation of Kaliane Bradley’s critically acclaimed 2024 novel, The Ministry of Time. The project, which had been quietly developing since its announcement, is slated to begin filming later this year, according to BBC drama boss Lindsay Salt.

A Unique Blend of Genres

The Ministry of Time is described as a unique fusion of romance, thriller, science fiction, and “state of the nation” drama. The story centers on a newly established government department tasked with gathering “expats” – individuals rescued from various points in history – to assess the feasibility of time travel.

Among the historical figures brought to the present are Commander Graham Gore, an officer from Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated 1845 Arctic expedition, an army captain from the Battle of the Somme (1916), a survivor of the Great Plague of London (1665), a woman from the French Revolution (1793), and a soldier from the 17th century. These “expats” are paired with 21st-century liaisons, known as “bridges,” in unconventional living arrangements.

Alice Birch to Adapt the Novel

Emmy-winning writer Alice Birch (Normal People, The End We Start From, Dead Ringers) is adapting Bradley’s novel for television. Although casting has not yet been announced, fans eagerly await news on who will portray the central characters of the unnamed protagonist and Commander Graham Gore.

A Quick Acquisition

Salt revealed that the BBC was proactive in securing the rights to The Ministry of Time, acquiring them even before the book’s publication. She emphasized the novel’s potential to offer a fresh and insightful perspective on contemporary Britain. “It felt like a way of doing state of the nation in a way that was fresh, vibrant and has a lot to say,” Salt stated.

Production Details

The six-part series will be produced by A24 (known for projects like Beef and Such Brave Girls) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Alice Birch and Jo McClellan will serve as executive producers.