Todmorden Book Festival announces new date for Gentleman Jack writer Sally Wainwright

The BAFTA winner will discuss her 30-year writing career with Michelle Hodgson, director of Huddersfield Literature Festival.

Read: New BBC trailer gives a look at Gentleman Jack series set and filmed at Shibden HallSally Wainwright’s credits include the critically acclaimed Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax.

Her latest drama for the BBC, Gentleman Jack, was filmed in Shibden Hall, Halifax and across Yorkshire and portrays the life of 19th century lesbian diarist and wealthy Halifax landowner Anne Lister, nicknamed ‘Gentleman Jack’ because of her penchant for dark, masculine clothing.

The eight-part series is expected to hit TV screens this spring with a cast led by Suranne Jones, Sophie Rundle and Timothy West. Lister came from one of the most prominent families in Halifax and her estate, Shibden Hall, dating from the 15th century, is now a tourist attraction.

Commenting on her new TV series, Wainwright said, “Anne Lister is a gift to a dramatist. She is one of the most exuberant, thrilling and brilliant women in British history. To bring Anne Lister to life on screen is the fulfilment of an ambition I’ve had for 20 years".

Read: BBC drama Gentleman Jack: Everything we know on the series about Halifax's Anne ListerTickets for A Life in Writing on Saturday 2 February at 7.30pm at Todmorden Hippodrome, are available from Todmorden Information Centre on 01706 818181 or visit www.visittodmorden.co.uk

Todmorden Book Festival, which ran for the first time in November 2018, was a resounding success.

The programme included fiction, non-fiction and poetry events for adults, young adults and children, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region and exploring individual and collective stories.

The next Todmorden Book Festival will take place in November 2019.

Read: Cast announced for Anne Lister drama ahead of filming at Shibden Hall