First look at ‘Poldark’ star in BBC’s new ‘The War of the Worlds’ period drama

The BBC has released the first promotional photo for its upcoming adaptation of The War of the Worlds.

Filming began in Liverpool and Cheshire in March on the first ever British television adaptation of H. G. Wells’s classic sci-fi novel – and the first version to be set in the book’s original time period.

Wallander writer Peter Harness has written the scripts for the three-part mini-series, which is produced by the makers of Poldark and Victoria.

The cast of The War of the Worlds is led by Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark) and Rafe Spall (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), alongside Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting) and Rupert Graves (Sherlock).

Eleanor Tomlinson commented: “I’m delighted to be taking on the Martians with Rafe Spall in Mammoth Screen’s adaptation of The War Of The Worlds. I’ve been a fan of [director] Craig Viveiros’ work for a while, so creating this world with him at the helm is very exciting.”

The official synopsis reads: “Set in Edwardian England, this new adaptation of H.G. Wells’ seminal tale – the first alien invasion story in literature – follows George (played by Rafe Spall) and his partner Amy (Eleanor Tomlinson) as they attempt to defy society and start a life together.

“Rupert Graves is Frederick, George’s elder brother, and Robert Carlyle plays Ogilvy, an astronomer and scientist. The War of the Worlds tells their story as they face the escalating terror of an alien invasion, fighting for their lives against an enemy beyond their comprehension.”

The War of the Worlds is expected to air on BBC One in the UK later this year.

H. G. Wells’s The War of the Worlds novel is available on Amazon.