The Stage

ITV winter line-up to feature Fisher in new drama

Published Wednesday 14 November 2007 at 16:00 by Matthew Hemley

Connie Fisher has landed her first television role playing a woman obsessed with Elvis Presley in a new drama for ITV.

Fisher, who was the winner of the BBC talent search show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, will play Gemma Perkins in the one-off film, which is called Caught in a Trap and is based on a true story.

Made by Greenlit, the company behind Foyle’s War, the drama follows Gemma, who empties car park meters for a living, as she discovers a way to boost her finances and enjoy a wealthy new lifestyle.

However, Gemma soon becomes more and more addicted to her new riches and her spending, particularly on Elvis memorabilia, spirals out of control.

The programme was unveiled today as part of ITV’s winter line-up and will be Fisher’s first role after finishing her stint in The Sound of Music next February.

Speaking to The Stage at the launch, ITV director of television Simon Shaps defended the broadcaster’s decision to use Fisher in the drama and claimed the move was unlikely to “raise eyebrows” amongst established actors.

He said: “She is on stage demonstrating her ability to do the job that she was asked to do. We are completely confident she can do it - the role fits her personality and her character. We have cast her because we think she can do the job.”

ITV has also unveiled new Ray Winstone drama The Changeling, which has been written by Joshua St Johnston and is loosely based on Thomas Middleton and William Rowley’s play, and Monday Monday, a new drama series from Talkback Thames.

The series is set in the head office of a supermarket chain that has hit hard times and follows the employees as they face challenges in their personal and professional lives.

Other highlights for next year include The Palace, a drama that takes a fictional look at the goings on in Buckingham Palace and Rock Rivals, made by Bad Girls producer Shed Productions.

Shaps said ITV was delivering on its pledge to reinvigorate its drama line-up by combining mainstream shows like Doc Martin and Heartbeat with “more contemporary, eye-catching pieces” and claimed director of drama Laura Mackie and her team was “delivering on their promise to bring a more varied and sophisticated mix of stories to ITV1”.

Talking about ITV’s performance this year, Shaps said that the broadcaster had launched more programmes with an audience over five million than any other.