Aneurin Barnard will star in ‘Cilla’ with Sheridan Smith.
‘The White Queen’ actor will play Cilla Black’s husband Bobby Willis in the new three-part period drama which will chart the rise to fame of the legendary British entertainer in the 1960s.
Ed Stoppard, best known for his role in ‘The Politician’s Husband’, has been hired to play iconic music manager Brian Epstein, who discovered Cilla and also managed The Beatles.
John Henshaw (‘Downton Abbey’) will play Cilla’s father John White, while Melanie Hill is set to star as the singer’s mother, Priscilla, also known by her friends and family as Big Cilla.
The drama, which was written by Oscar-nominated ‘Philomena’ scribe Jeff Pope, will follow Cilla as she chases her dream of becoming a recording artist. The series will depict her struggles with her baker husband Bobby, as well as her friendship with the legendary Beatles.
BAFTA-winning star Sheridan, who will bring Cilla’s tale to life, said: "I am thrilled to be playing Cilla, as she is a British icon. In the ’60s, as a young girl from Liverpool, she had numerous number ones and sang with The Beatles, her life story is fascinating."
Filming is currently under way in Liverpool.
Aneurin Barnard joins Cilla Black drama
