‘Grantchester’ star joins cast of BBC’s new 1960s Profumo affair drama

A great cast has been announced for the The Trial of Christine Keeler.

Based on one of the most infamous British true life stories, the BBC’s new period drama will explore the chain of events in the 1960s which came to be known as the Profumo affair.

The official synopsis reads: “At the centre of the storm was 19-year-old Christine Keeler – a young woman whom the powerful, male-dominated establishment sought to silence and exploit, but who refused to play by their rules.”

The six-part series has been written by award-winning novelist and screenwriter Amanda Coe (Apple Tree Yard).

Kingsman star Sophie Cookson will lead the cast as Christine Keeler.

She’ll be joined by James Norton (Grantchester) as Stephen Ward, alongside Ellie Bamber (Les Miserables) as Mandy Rice-Davies, Ben Miles (The Crown) as John Profumo, Emilia Fox (Silent Witness) as Valerie Profumo, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Angels in America) as Johnny Edgecombe, and Anthony Welsh (Black Mirror) as Aloysius “Lucky” Gordon.

The Trial of Christine Keeler began filming last month in Bristol.

Sophie Cookson commented: “I’m delighted to be playing Christine Keeler in this new drama. Amanda Coe has written an illuminating script about a vivid, complex woman who has previously, it seems, been reduced and misunderstood. Now feels like the perfect time to reconsider her life, and redress the balance.”

James Norton added: “I’m delighted to be working with the BBC on this fantastic drama. The opportunity to play Stephen Ward alongside this stellar cast and crew is something I’m really looking forward to.”

Norton recently departed the cast of Grantchester in the 1950s crime drama’s fourth season, which is currently airing on Friday nights on ITV.

The Trial of Christine Keeler will air on BBC One in the UK later this year.