Diane Keaton buys Last Tango in Halifax rights

Sally Wainwright, writer of the BBC drama series about two widowed pensioners who rekindle a passionate relationship that started decades ago, revealed the sale at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch on Monday (Oct 28).

Wainwright said the series was awaiting a greenlight from the US broadcaster but if it went ahead, both she and Red executive producer Nicola Shindler would be credited as associate producers.

However, a deal with HBO is understood to be on hold as a result of the broadcast of the original UK series on rival channel PBS.

Wainwright said she would not have any personal involvement in a remake.

“I’ll be interested to see what it looks like but I wouldn’t want to be involved. If you’re happy to sell the rights, you’ve got to let it go,” she said, adding that she preferred to focus on new projects.

The six-part romantic drama aired on BBC One last November, starring Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid. Wainwright was inspired to write the series after witnessing the happiness her mother’s second marriage brought her late in life.

Strong ratings ensured that a second series was commissioned and filming began this summer. It was also picked up by PBS in the US, which began airing the first series in September. It won Best Drama Series at this year’s BAFTAs.

Keaton, 67, is best known for her roles in Woody Allen films such as Annie Hall, for which she won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA. In recent years, she has starred in features including Something’s Gotta Give, Morning Glory andThe Big Wedding.