Leading Cast Announced For The Moonstone

The cast for a new mystery adventure series for BBC One has been unveiled.

The Moonstone is a new adaptation of Wilkie Collins' novel and will star John Thomson (Cold Feet) and Sarah Hadland (Miranda). Thomson will play the role of Sergeant Cuff, with Hadland as the pious Miss Clack.

Thomson and Hadland will be joined by Joshua Silver (Wolf Hall/Bring up the Bodies) and Terenia Edwards (Hero's Welcome) who make their television debuts in the roles of Franklin Blake and Rachel Verinder. Sophie Ward as Lady Verinder, Stewart Clarke as Godfrey Ablewhite, Leo Wringer as Betteredge, and David Calder as Mr Bruff, also star in the series. Further casting is still to be announced.

The Moonstone sees adventurer Franklin Blake on the most important journey of his life – to solve the disappearance of the priceless Moonstone and win back his true love Rachel Verinder.

The 5x45' series will air later this year as part of the BBC #LoveToRead season, supported by BBC Learning. It has been adapted for screen by Rachel Flowerday and Sasha Hails, and made by King Bert Productions. The series will be directed by Lisa Mulcahy and produced by Joanna Hanley. The Executive Producers are Jo Sargent and John Yorke (King Bert) and Dan McGolpin (BBC).

John Thomson said: "The Moonstone is a classic novel, and this has all the makings of classic TV. I've worked on a wonderful variety of projects over the years, but I've secretly always wanted to be part of a big BBC One costume drama. The Moonstone is exactly that and I'm incredibly excited to be in it."

Sarah Hadland added: "I am SO excited to be playing the fantastically named and appallingly behaved Miss Drusilla Clack. 'Clack', as she is sometimes called – to her horror, has to be the most pious of any character I have ever read. She sees herself as a devout Christian and 'do gooder', always thinking of others... however she is actually an interfering, manipulative little busybody who has an unholy obsession with Godfrey Ablewhite. Rachel Flowerday and Sasha Hails have written a fabulous script and I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this BBC production – bring on the bonnet!"

Dan McGolpin, Controller of BBC Daytime and Early-Peak, said: "The Moonstone spawned a new genre: the detective novel. Its influence endures to the present day, in books and on television. With the help of BBC Learning we are offering BBC One viewers the chance to see this gripping story play out across five afternoons. I'm thrilled that the production has attracted such a strong cast, a mix of well-known and up and coming actors, all incredibly talented. Our viewers are in for a treat."

Jo Sargent and John Yorke commented: "We're absolutely delighted to be bringing Wilkie Collins' enduring classic to television. It's the first major adaptation for nearly 20 years and we're thrilled BBC Daytime have entrusted us with the task of bringing it to life on the screen."

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/MH)