Olivia Colman and Steven Knight team up for new BBC project

Olivia Colman has been cast in BBC and FX's six-part adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations.

Oscar and Emmy-winning Colman will portray Miss Havisham, while BAFTA award winning-writer Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders fame will be writing and executive producing the limited series.

Fionn Whitehead will play Pip, and rounding out the cast is Ashley Thomas, Johnny Harris, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Hayley Squires, Owen McDonnell, Trystan Gravelle and Matt Berry in supporting roles.

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Thomas will play Jaggers, Harris will portray Magwitch and Brune-Franklin will play Estella. Squires will portray Sara, McDonnell will play Joe, Gravelle will play Compeyson and Berry will play Mr Pumblechuck.

Great Expectations is the classic coming-of-age tale of an orphan nicknamed Pip. It follows the childhood and adolescent years of Pip as a blacksmith's apprentice in a country village, as he eventually stumbles on a life-altering fortune from an unknown benefactor.

After settling into London's high society, he learns the truth about his fortune and has to grapple with an unrequited love.

Dickens first released the story in a series of weekly chapters in 1860 before it was later published as a complete novel.

olivia colman accepts award for best actress, oscars 2019

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Great Expectations marks the second Dickens adaptation for the BBC and FX, following the three-part A Christmas Carol in 2019.

Similarly to the team behind the cherished Christmas classic, Tom Hardy, Ridley Scott, Dean Baker, David W Zucker, Kate Crowe and Mona Qureshi will also executive produce for the BBC. And Lucy Forbes of This Is Going To Hurt will direct the drama.

While production has commenced in London this week according to The Hollywood Reporter, a premiere date for Great Expectations is yet to be announced.