All-star cast for JB Priestley’s classic story
Harry Potter actor David Thewlis is to lead the cast of BBC One’s adaptation of JB Priestley’s classic play An Inspector Calls.
Set in 1912, Thewlis stars as the mysterious Inspector Goole. Following the suicide of a young woman from the local town, the Inspector calls unexpectedly to interrogate the wealthy Birling family, headed by Arthur and his wife Sybil, played by Ken Stott (The Hobbit, Rebus) and Miranda Richardson (Mapp & Lucia, Parades End), and their dinner guests.
As their world unravels, each member of the family is revealed to have unwittingly played a part in her demise. Set at a time when society was transforming and women’s lives were about to change forever, An Inspector Calls is considered to be one of the classics of 20th century theatre.
The cast also includes Chloe Pirrie (The Game), Kyle Soller (Poldark) and Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders) and Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders).
Lead actor David Thewlis says: “An Inspector Calls is a British classic and I am thrilled to be working on this beautiful screen adaptation with Aisling Walsh.”
Lucy Richer, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama, adds: “The mysterious and elusive Inspector Goole has fascinated audiences for generations and David Thewlis is the perfect actor to bring him to life. We’re delighted that he, Ken Stott and Miranda Richardson are heading up this stellar cast to bring one of the nation’s favourite stories to BBC One.”
The drama will be adapted by playwright Helen Edmunson, produced by Drama Republic (The Honourable Woman) and directed by Aisling Walsh (A Poet in New York, Room at the Top).
An Inspector Calls will start filming in Yorkshire in February and will air later this year on BBC One as part of its season of classic 20th century literature adaptations.