Michael Palin has reportedly been cast in the upcoming big budget period drama ‘Vanity Fair’.
The 74-year-old comedy legend hasn’t appeared in a drama since he played Tom Parfitt in 2014’s ‘Remember Me’, but ITV bosses of the forthcoming series have seemingly snapped him up as they’re hoping his appearance will help the show emulate the success of ‘Downton Abbey’.
Details of the new seven-part series, which will be based on author William Thackeray’s classic novel of the same name, are being kept tightly under wraps for the time being but, according to The Sun newspaper, the former ‘Monty Python’ star has been cast at the writer himself.
The drama will follow social climber Becky Sharp – played by ‘Bates Motel’ actress Olivia Cooke – as she attempts to escape poverty and scale the heights of 19th century English society.
The 23-year-old actress will be joined by ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ star Tom Bateman, who will take on the role of Captain Rawdon Crawley, in the star-studded cast.
Polly Hill, ITV’s head of drama, said: "[‘Vanity Fair’] feels like the perfect classic to adapt for ITV."
Meanwhile, Michael looks set for a busy year as he will return to the big screen to take on the role of leading Soviet politician Vyacheslav Molotov in upcoming comedy drama ‘The Death of Stalin’.
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the movie – his first since ‘Absolutely Anything’ in 2014 – is slated to be released next month in the UK.
It’s not yet known when ‘Vanity Fair’ will hit television screens, but ITV have been looking for a big show to fill the shoes of ‘Downton Abbey’ after it came off air in 2015 following five years on screen.
Michael Palin will star in Vanity Fair
