Hugh Grant has swapped Hollywood for the silver screen! The BBC has announced that the Four Weddings and a Funeral actor will star in the new upcoming drama A Very English Scandal, a true story which follows politician Jeremy Thorpe after he was put on trial for conspiring to murder his ex-lover, Norman Scott.
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The three-episode miniseries, which is being written by former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies, will dramatise the 1979 trial, and producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins opened up about the series. "Hugh is one our most iconic British actors - sharp, witty, deeply human and nuanced - and to have him play one of the most controversial figures of British politics is utterly thrilling," he said. "With Russell T Davies writing and Stephen Frears directing, A Very English Scandal unites the highest level of talent to bring this extraordinary true story to life."
© Photo: Getty ImagesHugh will star as politician Jeremy Thorpe
Fans were quick to discuss Hugh's upcoming role, with one tweeting: "Different for Hugh Grant - nice to see he's working with [Russell T Davies] after regretting that he turned down the role of the 9th Doctor in 2005." Another added: "I love Hugh - even have a son named after him lol."
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Hugh isn't the only Hollywood leading man to try his hand at television recently, as Benedict Cumberbatch is due to star in the upcoming adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel A Child in Time. Speaking about the role, Benedict said: "I read the novel years ago and it stayed with me — profound, beautiful, and very moving. Only Ian McEwan could write about loss with such telling honesty." The author added: "I'm thrilled to have my novel in the hands of such a high level creative team. I have fond memories of Benedict playing a brilliant and key part in the movie adaptation of Atonement. Now, it's a great honour to have this actor of such immense resource, experience and subtlety in the lead role of The Child in Time."
