Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor star as Mapp And Lucia
Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor have been announced as the main stars for Mapp And Lucia, the new comic drama series for BBC One.
Based on the original stories by EF Benson and adapted by Steve Pemberton, the 1930s-set Mapp And Lucia focuses on the notorious small-town social rivals Miss Elizabeth Mapp and Mrs Emmeline 'Lucia' Lucas.
Blackadder star Miranda Richardson will take on the role of Elizabeth Mapp, with Pramface actress Anna Chancellor portraying Mrs Emmeline Lucas, known to her friends as Lucia, who decides to take a holiday in the charming historic town of Tilling.
Hilary Salmon, Senior Executive Producer at the BBC, says: "It's a tribute to EF Benson's irrepressible characters that we have been able to attract Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor to play his two most iconic and well-loved creations."
Cameras start rolling in the Sussex village of Rye this summer, which was Benson's home between World Wars One and Two and his template for Mapp and Lucia's battleground.
Miranda Richardson says: "I am so looking forward to a summer of hard work and I hope, great fun, working with the ensemble on Steve's masterly adaptation of EF Benson's delicious confection. I cannot wait to get my teeth into Mapp... and of course, Lucia!"
Anna Chancellor adds: "I am thrilled to be playing the glorious Lucia. I hope I can do justice to EF Benson's wonderful creations."
Steve Pemberton will also appear in the show. The Psychoville and Inside No. 9 writer and actor will play Lucia's devoted acolyte and dapper chief courtier, Georgie Pillson.
Steve Pemberton comments: "It's a dream come true to be playing the delightful Georgie Pillson in Rye this summer, and I'm doubly excited to be joined by Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor. Both have proved themselves to be equally brilliant comic and dramatic actresses, and the thought of them going into battle as Mapp and Lucia is mouthwatering. The Channel 4 adaptation from the 1980s is what brought me to the books and I very much hope this new version will have a similar effect, turning a whole new readership on to EF Benson's bitingly funny novels."
Pemberton will also be joined on screen by his fellow The League Of Gentlemen star Mark Gatiss, who will play Major Benjy, a Raj Army veteran.
Mark Gatiss says: "EF Benson's tales of life in Tilling are some of the most sly, funny and waspishly brilliant stories in the language. It's an absolute treat to be joining my old friend Steve and such a glorious cast to bring them to life. Quai hai!"
The cast also includes Felicity Montagu (I'm Alan Partridge) as Godiva 'Diva' Plaistow; Gemma Whelan (Live At The Electric) as Quaint Irene Coles, the Disgrace of Tilling (and her sex); Paul Ritter (Friday Night Dinner) as Reverend Kenneth Bartlett; and Katy Brand (Psychobitches) as Hermione Pillson.
Also appearing are Poppy Miller (The Commander) as Evie Bartlett; Nicholas Woodeson (Scoop) as Algernon Wyse; and Pippa Haywood (Green Wing) as his wife Susan Wyse; with Frances Barber (Psychobitches) playing the vivacious and good-humoured Amelia, Contessa di Faraglione.
The three hour-long episodes will be shown on BBC One in the autumn.
The earlier Channel 4 adaptation of the books lasted for two series during 1985 and 1986, starring Prunella Scales as Mapp, Geraldine McEwan as Lucia, and Nigel Hawthorne as Georgie.