BBC release new image of Suranne in Gentleman Jack
We already knew that Doctor Foster actress Suranne Jones is starring in new BBC1 drama Gentleman Jack – now it’s been revealed that another ex Coronation Street star, Katherine Kelly, will be joining her on screen.
Suranne, who played Karen McDonald in Corrie, stars as Regency landowner Anne Lister, who has been dubbed the “first modern lesbian”, in the upcoming drama, which has been penned by Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright.
The BBC has released a striking new image (below) of Suranne in the lead role.
Today, it was announced that Katherine, who played Weatherfield’s Becky McDonald, will play Elizabeth Sutherland, the sister of Anne Lister’s intended wife Ann Walker (Peaky Blinders actress Sophie Rundle).
Talking about her new role, Katherine said: “I’m thrilled to be reuniting with Sally once again. I know how passionate she is about the life and times of Anne Lister, and I’m delighted to be portraying such a key historical character in Anne Lister’s story.”
It was also revealed that The Killing star Sofie Gråbøl was also joining the cast as the Queen of Denmark.
“When asked if I would like to play the Queen of Denmark in Sally’s brand new series, I could not have said ‘yes’ fast enough! I’m excited to welcome the Gentleman Jack team to Copenhagen [where filming is taking place], and to film my scene as Queen Marie with the wonderful Suranne Jones.”
The whole drama is based on historical fact, recorded in the millions of words of Lister’s diaries containing the most intimate details of her life – which were once hidden in secret code that has now been cracked.
The BBC has said that the eight-part series decodes many of the secrets in the diary for the first time.
Sally Wainwright, Gentleman Jack’s creator, writer, and lead director added: “It’s so exciting that Anne Lister’s story has attracted such an extraordinary cast, and now we can add to that the unique talents of Katherine Kelly and Sofie Gråbøl! Anne Lister is taking us up to Scotland and across Europe!”
Filming is drawing to a close on Gentleman Jack, which will air on BBC1 next year.
Main pic: PA Wire/PA Images
