RAI invests in Beeb's 'Fair'

BBC suits hailing deal as 'breakthrough'

By STEVE CLARKE

LONDON -- The British Broadcasting Corp. has succeeded in persuading RAI, the Italian pubcaster, to invest in its latest costumer, a $12.8 million adaptation of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair."

It is understood that RAI is putting up around $1 million for the six-part miniseries, due to start filming in March. The third partner on the production is WGBH Boston, a longstanding BBC collaborator on period fare.

The news that RAI -- which last worked with the BBC on the lackluster miniseries "Nostromo" -- is backing "Vanity Fair" is being hailed as "a breakthrough" by BBC suits.

"There's a big difference between RAI coming in on a period piece based on a 19th-century English classic with an all-British cast, and their involvement in 'Nostromo,' which was an international project," said BBC Worldwide's head of investment and operations Mike Morris.

Details of the cast have not been released. The screenplay is by Andrew Davies, the British writer who adapted the recent small-screen versions of "Pride and Prejudice."

"Vanity Fair" will be helmed by Mark Mundem, whose credits include "Touching Evil," a hit British TV series.

The producer is Ann Pivcevic. Ankling BBC TV exec Michael Wearing is exec producer.