London – Independent producer Nevision and Lavender Pictures (headed by Ben Kingsley and producer/actress Daniela Lavender) are co-developing a new drama series, Cousin Bazilio, based on a novel written by Eca de Queiroz in 1878.

Cousin Bazilio is a tale of sexual fire and psychological truth set during one over-heated summer in 19th Century Lisbon. It tells of the battle between two women: Juliana, the embittered maid and her employer Luisa, a beautiful, but bored, housewife, whose volatile affair with her cousin, Bazilio, sets off a train of dramatic consequences. Adultery, blackmail and lust are scattered like seeds of black comedy in the fertile earth of bourgeois society.

Ben Kingsley is to take the role of “The Counsellor” and the book will be adapted as a 2 x 90’ event mini-series by acclaimed film and television writer, David Ashton, author of the successful BBC series, McLevy. Nevision will co-produce with Lavender Pictures.

James Cabourne, Executive Chairman of Nevision adds: “I am genuinely thrilled by the combination of world-class acting and writing talent on this project. Cousin Bazilio is a great story and David’s adaptation promises to be as explosive as the novel. The added incentive for Nevision is co-producing such a prestigious drama with Lavender Pictures – very exciting!”