‘The Crown’ star joins ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator’s new ‘Great Expectations’ series
The cast has been revealed for the BBC’s new version of Great Expectations.
Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight is adapting Charles Dickens’ thirteenth novel, which was originally published in 1861.
The upcoming adaptation of Great Expectations was commissioned by the BBC and FX back in 2020.
It’s being made by the creative team behind 2019’s A Christmas Carol mini-series.
Starring Guy Pearce (Mary Queen of Scots), Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), and Stephen Graham (Line of Duty), A Christmas Carol was watched by nearly 8 million viewers when it aired a few years ago, attracting mostly positive reviews.
Steven Knight is once again writing and executive producing the limited series, alongside producers Ridley Scott (Gladiator) and Tom Hardy (Taboo).
It’s now been announced that the Oscar-winning Olivia Colman has joined cast of Great Expectations!
The star of The Crown and The Favourite will play Miss Havisham.
Colman will be joined by Fionn Whitehead as Pip.
The 24-year-old English actor is best known for his roles in Dunkirk and Black Mirror.
He’s also appearing in wonderful new movie The Duke, alongside Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent, and upcoming Emily Bronte biopic Emily.
The cast also includes Ashley Thomas (The Ipcress File), Johnny Harris (Medici), Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist), Hayley Squires (Call the Midwife), Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve), Trystan Gravelle (Quiz), and Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows).
Filming is believed to be underway in England right now, with Lucy Forbes (This Is Going To Hurt) directing.
Great Expectations is expected to premiere this Christmas on FX in the US and on BBC One in the UK.
The final season of Peaky Blinders is currently airing on BBC One on Sunday nights.
Writer Steven Knight previously commented: “Adapting Dickens’ work is a delight. I chose Great Expectations as the next work to bring to the screen not just because of the timeless characters, but also because of the very timely story.
“A story of class mobility and class intransigence, told through an intensely emotional and personal first-person narrative. As the son of a Blacksmith myself, Pip’s journey from the forge into society is a very special one to me.”
Steven Knight’s A Christmas Carol is available to watch on Amazon Prime.