Jack Whitehall to star in BBC's Decline And Fall
- Jack Whitehall is set to star as Paul Pennyfeather in BBC Two's adaptation of classic novel Decline And Fall
- David Suchet and Eva Longoria will also star in the adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's classic 1928 novel
- Filming starts on the three-part series next month
Jack Whitehall is to take the lead role in Decline And Fall, the BBC's new adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's classic 1928 novel.
The 27 year-old comedian will play the hapless Paul Pennyfeather in the three-part BBC Two series.
The new adaptation, which will mark 50 years since Waugh's death, was first announced in March, with the BBC describing Decline And Fall as the writer's "first, most perfect novel".
Set in the 1920s, the classic social satire follows student Paul Pennyfeather. Whilst at Oxford he joins the Bollinger Club and is subsequently expelled from the university. As a result of his expulsion, he loses the right to his inheritance and thus is forced to take up various jobs.
The BBC explains: "His unfair expulsion from Oxford kick-starts a disastrous series of events, wherein he is by turn a naïve teacher, a celebrity bridegroom, a wanted fugitive, and an international (and unintentional) white slave-trader - while always being, indubitably - a victim of comic misfortune."
The novel, which has never been televised before, is being adapted for the screen by Rev writer James Wood.
The BBC has also confirmed that David Suchet will play Dr Fagan, the headmaster of Llanabba, an obscure public school in Wales where Paul first finds employment and works with fellow teacher Grimes (Douglas Hodge).
It is at the school that Pennyfeather meets the Honourable Mrs Margot Beste-Chetwynde, to be played by Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, who is the mother of one of the pupils. For Paul it is love at first sight, but little does he know the surprises that lie ahead of him when he agrees to tutor her son over the summer holidays.
Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, says: "One of the greatest comic novels of all time, this satirical masterpiece is long overdue a television debut. Waugh deploys comedy and tragedy to point up prevailing institutional corruption and the dehumanising consequences of elitism, very timely and apposite for today. James has done a terrific job of getting to the core of it, and the writing has attracted a fantastic cast."
Jack Whitehall recently announced a major stand-up tour for 2017, titled Jack Whitehall At Large. Aside from his stand-up work and appearing on panel show A League Of Their Own (a new series of which is being filmed now), Whitehall has acted in a number of British comedy shows. As well as leading roles in Fresh Meat and Bad Education, he's appeared in series such as Cockroaches, Inside No. 9, Drunk History, Brian Pern and Psychobitches. He can also be seen alongside Jennifer Aniston in new Hollywood film Mother's Day, which is in cinemas now.
Of his casting as Paul Pennyfeather, Jack Whitehall says: "I am extremely pleased to be a part of this amazing adaptation by James Wood. I've been a fan of this book since I read it as a teenager, and I just hope that I can do it justice."
Filming for Decline And Fall is due to start in Wales in July, with Inside No. 9 director Guillem Morales behind the camera. The series is expected to be shown on BBC Two in the autumn or winter.