‘The Famous Five’ first look: Cast revealed for new children’s TV series

We’ve got the first photos of the BBC’s new The Famous Five stars!

Based on the classic children’s adventure novels by English author Enid Blyton, the upcoming family drama was announced last month.

Three feature-length episodes are currently filming across the UK’s South West.

The new The Famous Five series will follow Julian, Dick, Anne, and George – plus their dog Timmy – as the five daring young explorers encounter “treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger, and astounding secrets in an unforgettable odyssey that evokes the power of camaraderie between the fearless young heroes.”

Here’s an official promotional shot of the cast:

The Northman actor Elliott Rose will play Julian, with Kit Rakusen from Belfast playing Dick, and newcomer Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne.

Diaana Babnicova (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey) plays George, who’ll be welcoming her three cousins to stay at Kirrin Cottage.

Completing the Famous Five line-up as Timmy the Dog is a gorgeous Bearded Collie Cross called Kip.

“Our brilliant young cast are mind-blowingly talented and, along with Kip (playing Timmy), they are already bringing these gorgeous characters to life in a fresh and modern way,” said executive producer Tim Kirkby.

“We can’t wait to bring these glorious, action-filled, epic, family adventures to the screen,” he added.

The Famous Five is being adapted by Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn.

“All my life I’ve fought vigorously to remain a child with a lust for adventure,” commented Refn. “By reimagining The Famous Five, I am preserving that notion by bringing these iconic stories to life…”

The cast also includes a familiar face from Game of Thrones!

Best known as the evil Joffrey Baratheon in HBO’s fantasy series, Irish actor Jack Gleeson is playing a character called Wentworth, who it’s probably safe to say will be a villain based on this sneak peek image!

Also appearing are Ann Akinjirin (Moon Knight, I May Destroy You) as Fanny, James Lance (Ted Lasso, Bronson) as Quentin, and Diana Quick (Father Brown, Houdini and Doyle) as Mrs Wentworth.

The Famous Five will air on the CBBC channel and streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK, on ZDF in Germany, and on TF1 in France.

Over 80 years since the first story was published in 1942, more than two million Famous Five books are still sold each year!

The complete collection of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books is available on Amazon.