The Stage

Wanamaker and Jacobi to star in Dickens’ classic for ITV

Published Friday 18 May 2007 at 10:50 by Matthew Hemley

Zoe Wanamaker and Derek Jacobi are lined up to appear in an ITV adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop.

Jacobi will play the role of Grandfather, alongside Toby Jones, who recently played Truman Capote in the film Infamous, as the villain Quilp.

Made by Carnival Films, the one-off ITV1 drama will also feature Coronation Street’s Bradley Walsh, The League of Gentlemen’s Steve Pemberton and The Office actor Martin Freeman.

The drama tells the story of Little Nell Trent, played by Sophie Vavasseur, who lives with her grandfather, played by Jacobi.

Grandfather, who likes to gamble and borrows heavily from Quilp, eventually loses all their money. Quilp then takes possession of their shop and Nell and Grandfather have to flee.

Laura Mackie, ITV director of drama, said: “The Old Curiosity Shop has a powerful and moving narrative and a fantastic ensemble of colourful characters and we’re thrilled to have attracted such a wonderful and diverse cast.”

ITV has also announced a remake of Frankenstein, in which Dr Victor Frankenstein is re-imagined as a 21st-century female biologist, by Bodies writer Jed Mercurio.

Helen McCrory will play Victoria, a female scientist who creates a monster. The cast also includes Lindsay Duncan.

Frankenstein has been commissioned by ITV deputy controller of drama Sally Haynes.

Haynes said: “With the advances being made in modern science, Jed’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic makes the impossible seem possible.”