Little White Rose Films Announces Ambitious Mission to Bring Epic Series Wax Fruit to Television
Wax Fruit, an iconic saga following the stratospheric rise of the Moorhouse family in Victorian-era Glasgow, is poised to leap from page to screen in a groundbreaking multi-season TV series produced by Little White Rose Films. This ambitious adaptation of Guy McCrone’s beloved and best-selling novels promises a fresh take on period drama, blending historical realism with humour, raw ambition, and striking Scottish landscapes.
“It’s an epic, fuelled by passion, black humour, raucous laughs, malt whisky – and a frightening dose of ambition!” said Sarah Purser, Executive Producer and Founder of Little White Rose Films. “We’re talking Scots here so there’s no messing about – bold, brave, beautiful women and sexy, sharp, stubborn men taking on the world.
Cantered on the grit, ingenuity, and indomitable spirit of the Moorhouse Clan, Wax Fruit is an unflinching portrayal of family bonds, ambition, and the stark contrasts of Glasgow—a city fuelled by wealth and innovation but haunted by poverty and social unrest. From their origins on a wild and remote farm to the teeming streets of Glasgow, the Moorhouse family navigates power struggles, romantic entanglements and societal challenges, all while embodying a resilience uniquely Scottish.
Purser added: “The Moorhouse Clan are entrepreneurs, pushing the boundaries, grabbing every opportunity the city affords, and burning the candle at both ends. They’re a family you want to hang out with, argue the toss with, have a laugh with – live the dream with. Wax Fruit opens a door into an audacious, aspirational, life-affirming new world.
“Glasgow, 1870, is one of the richest, most glamorous cities in Europe – a crucible of unbridled growth and global influence. It’s swaggering, powerful – a city drunk on its own success – and like any rollicking drunk, it’s heading for a fall.”
She added “If you want to make it in the Wax Fruit world, the currency is hard graft, ingenuity, and the razor-sharp wit of the Scots, which crackles throughout. You can forget any notions of grandeur until you’ve put in the blood, sweat and tears. And when you’ve proved your worth and made it to the top, it’s what you do with your success that gives you your kudos.”
The kaleidoscope of characters, particularly the formidable women of the Moorhouse clan, are bold, beautiful, and unapologetically Scottish, taking on the world with wit, intelligence, style – and a wild sense of humour.
A 7-minute teaser has been filmed prior to taking the project to market, featuring a stellar cast including:
- Martin Compston (Line of Duty, Vigil, The Rig) as Arthur
- Molly Windsor (Three Girls, Netflix Out of the Dust) as Bel, BAFTA winner
- Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter, Trainspotting) as Mary, BAFTA winner
- Ashley Jensen (Shetland, Afterlife, Extras, Ugly Betty) as Sophia
- Elaine C. Smith (Two Doors Down) as Mrs. Barrowfield, BAFTA winner
- Bill Paterson (Outlander, Fleabag) as Lord Macallan, BAFTA winner
- Frankie Corio (Aftersun) as Phoebe (13 yrs old), Breakthrough star
- Rosie Graham (The School for Good and Evil, Outlander, Sanditon) as Sarah
- Kenny Doughty (Vera, Coronation Street) as William
This award-winning cast, supported by an equally acclaimed creative team including BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb, Oscar-nominated Director of Photography Michael Coulter, and BAFTA-winning designer Andy Harris, Director Morag Fullarton, with an original score by Emmy-winning Composer Tommy Reilly, ensure that Wax Fruit will bring the gritty beauty of Victorian Scotland to life. The show also boasts an award-winning lineup of executive producers with experience across high-profile franchises such as Star Wars, Mission Impossible, and Star Trek.
Scots author Guy McCrone’s million-selling trilogy,r eleased in 1947 became a New York Times book of the month. Purser said: “Guy McCrone’s Wax Fruit Trilogy is a hidden treasure and a gift for television adaptation. We can’t wait to bring his glorious world to life for a whole new audience.”
The series will feature a blend of sumptuous visuals and intimate storytelling, capturing the intense highs and devastating lows of life in Victorian Glasgow. Against the city’s thriving industry and deep social inequalities, the Moorhouses rise as ambitious entrepreneurs and community icons. Their story is one of love, loyalty, and resilience—a family story that resonates as much today as in their own time.
With a seven-minute teaser trailer, and full episodic outlines for Seasons 1–5, Wax Fruit is poised to redefine the period drama genre and capture the hearts of global audiences. The show has secured support from Creative Scotland, with Episode 1 written by Alastair Galbraith, is ready for production.
Sarah Purser, Executive Producer and founder of Little White Rose Films added: “We’re blown away by the excitement Wax Fruit is generating. There’s a palpable understanding of the immense potential this flagship series has in bringing the vivid, vibrant, wonderful world of Wax Fruit to life for an international audience—and, in so doing, celebrating Glasgow and Scotland on a global stage.”