Producer aims to adapt ‘Wax Fruit’ novels for television, drawing comparisons to ‘Bridgerton’

Upon relocating to a Victorian terrace in the west end of Glasgow, producers Sarah Purser and Tommy Gormley received a card, a bottle of wine, and a copy of Guy McCrone’s 1947 novel trilogy, *Wax Fruit*, from the former occupant. These novels chronicle the narrative of the Moorhouse family, depicting their ascent from modest origins on an Ayrshire farm to prominent positions within 19th-century Glasgow society. Sarah Purser recounted, “They’d marked the page where the fabulous heroine Bel moves into Grosvenor Terrace, and realises she’s made it.” Purser expressed, “I loved the books, devoured them all and thought these would be so great for TV.” Over two decades later, she has advanced significantly towards her aspiration of adapting the novels, which she describes as “buried treasure,” into a television series. To generate enthusiasm for the initiative, she produced a seven-minute teaser film featuring a notable ensemble, including Martin Compston, Shirley Henderson, and Elaine C. Smith. Ashley Jensen, known for her role in *Shetland*, and her husband Kenny Doughty, along with seasoned actor Bill Paterson, also contributed their acting skills to the trailer. Jensen commented, “I have never seen Scotland represented on television like this. Vibrant, aspirational and confident.” She further stated, “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.” The cast also includes 14-year-old Frankie Corio, who received acclaim for her performance in *Aftersun*. Her role is Phoebe, the orphaned half sister of the Moorhouse family. Corio informed BBC Scotland News, “I’m so excited to be part of Wax Fruit.” She added, “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.” The ensemble cast shot the project’s trailer at Holmwood House in Glasgow earlier this year, and the producers are now seeking to generate sufficient interest for a complete series production. Sarah Purser stated, “We’re doing it all tapsalteerie,” explaining that this Scots term, meaning “topsy turvy,” is also featured in the novels. She elaborated, “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.” The novels, which achieved considerable popularity in the 1940s, particularly in the US, depict the severe conditions of poverty in 19th-century Glasgow. Sarah Purser anticipates that the television adaptation will similarly portray these realities. Purser also holds the view that the series could appeal to an international audience already drawn to Scotland through productions such as *Outlander*. Sarah commented, “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.” Following the successful generation of attention, Sarah Purser and her company, Little White Rose Films, are now tasked with securing the necessary funding to realize her vision. With assistance from Screen Scotland, the inaugural episode, penned by Alastair Galbraith, is prepared for production. Consequently, the Moorhouse family’s story awaits its moment in the public eye.