‘Poirot’ star to lead cast of ‘Doctor Foster’ writer’s newspaper drama series ‘Press’

The cast has been announced for the BBC’s new drama series from Doctor Foster creator Mike Bartlett.

Press tells the story of two fictional, competing newspapers.

David Suchet (Poirot) will play the Chairman & CEO of Worldwide News, owner of The Post.

He’ll be joined by Charlotte Riley (King Charles III), Ben Chaplin (Apple Tree Yard), Priyanga Burford (London Spy), Paapa Essiedu (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Shane Zaza (Happy Valley), Ellie Kendrick (Diary of Anne Frank), Al Weaver (Grantchester) and Brendan Cowell (Game of Thrones).

Charlotte Riley commented: “I am delighted to be working with Mike Bartlett again … on a truly brilliant piece of writing. Mike is a phenomenal storyteller and I am excited to be part of this project”.

Directed by Tom Vaughan (Victoria), the six 60-minute episodes will begin filming in London this month.

Writer Mike Bartlett said: “I’m so happy to be working with the incredible Tom Vaughan again, and the talent of this amazing cast make me feel like the luckiest writer around. Press is a series packed full of stories and now we have the very best people to tell them.”

The official synopsis reads: “Set in the fast-paced and challenging environment of the British newspaper industry, Press immerse viewers in the personal lives and the constant professional dilemmas facing its characters. The series follows their lives as they attempt to balance work and play, ambition and integrity, amid the never-ending pressure of the 24-hour global news cycle and an industry in turmoil.”

Press will air on BBC One in the UK in 2018 and on Masterpiece on PBS at a later date.