ITV is adding to the cast of Arthur & George.
Geraldine Alexander has signed on to co-star opposite Martin Clunes and Arsher Ali in the three-part Arthur Conan Doyle drama, which hails from Buffalo Pictures, Silent Witness scribe Ed Whitmore and director Stuart Orme, TVWise has learned exclusively.
Based on the book by Julian Barnes, Arthur & George is set in 1903 and tells the story of Conan Doyle (Martin Clunes) who, following the death of his first wife, recaptures his zest for life by attempting to overturn a miscarriage of justice which saw George Edalji (Arsher Ali) sentenced to seven years in Pentonville Prison for The Great Wyrley Rippings.
Geraldine Alexander has landed what one source pegged as a “significant role” and will play Louise Hawkins, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s first wife, whose death leads the legendary writer into a deep depression. The actress has previously starred in such television dramas as Law & Order: UK, Any Human Heart, Case Sensitive and, more recently, BBC One’s Shetland.
In addition to Martin Clunes and Arsher Ali, Arthur & George also stars Hattie Morahan (The Bletchley Circle) as Jean Leckie; Art Malik (Holby City) as Reverend Shapurji Edalji; Emma Fielding (Silk) as Charlotte Edalji; Charles Edwards (Downton Abbey) as Woodie Wood; and Sandra Voe (Holby City) as Conan Doyle’s mother.
The three-parter was commissioned by ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November & ITV’s Controller of Drama Victoria Fea earlier this year and began filming last month in London and Staffordshire for a 2015 premiere. Other dramas on the PSB’s 2015 slate currently in production include Safe House, The Trials Of Jimmy Rose and Black Work.
