‘Downton’ star Hugh Bonneville joins new Terry Pratchett adaptation

A brilliant line-up of British period drama stars has joined the cast of The Amazing Maurice.

The upcoming TV movie is based on Terry Pratchett’s The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents novel for children.

Inspired by the German fairy tale about the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the book is the 28th in Pratchett’s Discworld series and has sold nearly 90 million copies around the world since it was published in 2001.

Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington) takes the role of the Mayor, alongside Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke as Malicia.

The official synopsis reads: “When Maurice and the rodents reach the stricken town of Bad Blintz, they meet a bookworm, Malicia. Their little con soon goes down the drain as something very bad is waiting for them in the cellars.”

The Amazing Maurice will premiere on Sky in the UK in 2022.

Bonneville and Clarke are joined by Hugh Laurie (Jeeves and Wooster) as Maurice, David Thewlis (Harry Potter) as Boss Man, Himesh Patel (The Luminaries) as Keith, and Gemma Arterton (Their Finest) as Peaches.

Hugh Bonneville is expected to return in the second Downton movie when it begins filming later this year, ahead of the sequel’s arrival in cinemas in 2022.

Fans can also watch the Robert Crawley actor play author Roald Dahl in upcoming period drama To Olivia.

Downton Abbey: The Complete Collection box set is available on DVD on Amazon.