Francesca Segal’s novel The Awkward Age is to be adapted for a BBC television series.

Downton Abbey producer Carnival Films has acquired the rights to the book, which was published by Chatto & Windus in May 2017.

The novel about two families from north west London received widespread praise, although there weren’t quite as many Jews in The Awkward Age as her Costa Prize-winning debut, The Innocents.

The book is about Julia, who falls in love again after years of raising her now-teenage daughter Gwen alone, following the death of her husband, Daniel, when Gwen was only eight.

Unfortunately for her, her daughter hates her new partner and his son Nathan, which makes blending the families in harmony very difficult.

Helen Edmundson, the writer behind Inspector Calls and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, is adapting the book for the small screen.

Carnival’s Gareth Neame, who will executive produce the series said: “Francesca Segal’s The Awkward Age is an extraordinary work in its sensitivity, honesty and ability to explore the many aspects of these deeply authentic characters. 

“We are delighted to have the perfect screenwriter to adapt this material in Helen Edmundson, who is deeply passionate about the book and bringing all of the strengths of the novel to screen.”