Rose Leslie and Andrew Buchan are set to star in ITV’s The Great Fire based on historical events. Novelist Tom Bradby wrote the first three episodes and co-wrote episode four with Chris Hurford and Tom Butterworth.
The story of London’s devastating fire of 1666 will be brought to life via special effects and pyrotechnics (not CGI). And according to ITV, shooting will take place in Kent, Surrey, Oxfordshire, and London this month.
“In 1666, London was the greatest city in the world with a population of 300,000. In just four days The Great Fire destroyed nearly half the city and threatened the monarchy,” said Douglas Rae. “It’s a fascinating premise for a drama and creates the perfect backdrop for Tom Bradby to be at his most creative. We have assembled an amazing cast and production team, and we’re looking forward to filming Tom’s fantastic scripts.”
The Details, Courtesy of ITV:
Inspired by the historical events of 1666 and with the decadent backdrop of King Charles II’s court, The Great Fire focuses on the circumstances which led to the catastrophic fire, Thomas Farriner’s family life at the bakery in Pudding Lane, the playboy King’s extravagant lifestyle, and Farriner’s complex relationship with his fictional sister in law, Sarah played by Rose Leslie (Utopia, Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey).
Thomas, played by Andrew Buchan, (Broadchurch, Garrow’s Law, Nowhere Boy) is central to the drama which is based upon existing historical knowledge with fictional stories cleverly interwoven and written by successful novelist Tom Bradby, ITN’s Political Editor.
Diarist Samuel Pepys, a close confidante of the King who dared to tell him “he was consumed by the pursuit of pleasure”, will be portrayed by Daniel Mays (Mrs Biggs, Treasure Island, Public Enemies) and his wife Elizabeth is played by Perdita Weeks (The Invisible Woman, Flight of the Storks).
Jack Huston (American Hustle, Boardwalk Empire, Parade’s End) plays the role of King Charles II, whilst Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Dracula, Mr Selfridge, World Without End) is his brother, James Duke of York. Andrew Tiernan (Ripper Street, Foyle’s War, Prisoner’s Wives) plays prisoner Vincent, a forgotten soul languishing in Newgate prison, whilst Antonia Clarke (Lightfields, A Mother’s Son) is Frances Stewart.
The drama will unfold over four consecutive days as the fire indiscriminately takes hold of the city, and the people desperately attempt to overcome the flames. The four x 60-minute episodes will capture the most prosperous city of its age as fire rages and engulfs dwellings and businesses like the bakery on Pudding Lane. Terrified and bewildered, the people are thrown into chaos, and with each day, they become increasingly desperate to seek safety away from the city.
Other key roles include Lord Denton, an emissary of the King’s, to be played by Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Secret State, Strike Back) whilst the Duke of Hanford, the most powerful Catholic nobleman in the land will be played by David Schofield (Da Vinci’s Demons, Land Girls, The Shadow Line) and Sonya Cassidy (Vera, The Paradise, Endeavour) takes on the role of The Queen.
Douglas Rae (Fleming, Mistresses, My Boy Jack) and Lucy Bedford (Mistresses, All About George, Lie with Me) will executive produce the drama for Ecosse Films with Gina Cronk (The White Queen, Tracy Beaker Returns, Wolfblood) producing. Jon Jones (Lawless, Rogue, Mr Selfridge) is directing the drama.
