In celebration of the centenary of Daphne du Maurier’s birth, a new drama starring Geraldine Somerville, Elizabeth McGovern and Janet McTeer brings the secret love life of this renowned writer to BBC Two later this April.

Based on personal letters and biographies, the film charts the story of Daphne’s unrequited passion for the beautiful and glamorous American heiress, Ellen Doubleday, and how the play she wrote about this forbidden desire led her to a life-changing love affair with the irreverent, fun-loving actress Gertrude Lawrence.

Daphne called herself “a boy in a box” and this revealing drama shows how Daphne’s incendiary love life informed the writing of her compelling stories.

Directed by Clare Beavan and written by Amy Jenkins (creator of This Life) and, for the first time ever, with the co-operation of the du Maurier estate, this period drama reveals the untold story of this fascinating writer’s life.

Says Amy: “Daphne du Maurier was not what you would expect. She was irreverent, reclusive, funny and tortured during this period of her life. I always want to write about strong, interesting women and Daphne’s story is both tragic and illuminating. You’ll never read Rebecca in the same way again.”