First look at the stars of the BBC’s new Morecambe & Wise true story drama

The BBC has announced the cast of its new TV movie about comedy scriptwriter Eddie Braben.

The one-off 60-minute film will celebrate the man behind the greatest successes of British TV’s legendary comedy duo Morecambe and Wise.

Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks) will play Braben, as he sets about reshaping the iconic double act into the Eric and Ernie that the nation took to its heart.

Mark Bonnar (Apple Tree Yard) will play Eric Morecambe, alongside Neil Maskell (Humans) as Ernie Wise.

Eric, Ernie And Me began filming last month in Bristol and Cardiff.

Stephen Tompkinson commented: “Thanks to Eddie Braben, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise became the most beloved comedy double act since Laurel & Hardy. The intimate utopia Eddie created for the boys has left us with everlasting joy and sunshine.”

He added: “To be able to tell this beautifully crafted piece by Neil is a rarity that reminds us how lucky we were that these three gentlemen bonded together and the efforts that went behind holding generations eternally grateful. For this project to have the blessings of the Braben, Morecambe and Wise families, makes us constantly aware of what an honour it is to portray these comedic legends.”

The cast also includes Rufus Jones (W1A) as the double act’s long-term producer John Ammonds, Alexander Macqueen (Peaky Blinders) as Bill Cotton, BBC’s Head of Light Entertainment, and Liz White (Our Zoo) as Braben’s ever-encouraging wife Deidree.

The official synopsis for Eric, Ernie And Me reads: “They were called The Golden Triangle – Morecambe, Wise and Braben. For over a decade, the writer Eddie Braben penned Morecambe and Wise’s material, and reshaped the double act into the Eric and Ernie that the nation took to its heart. But it wasn’t all sunshine.”