New adaptation of mystery adventure classic The Moonstone on the BBC

It will air as part of the BBC #LoveToRead season, supported by BBC Learning.

Thomson will play the legendary Sergeant Cuff, with Hadland as the pious and unwittingly hilarious Miss Clack.

John Thomson says: "The Moonstone is a classic novel, and this has all the makings of classic TV. I’ve worked on a wonderful variety of projects over the years, but I've secretly always wanted to be part of a big BBC One costume drama. The Moonstone is exactly that and I’m incredibly excited to be in it.”

Sarah Hadland adds: “I am SO excited to be playing the fantastically named and appallingly behaved Miss Drusilla Clack. ‘Clack’, as she is sometimes called - to her horror, has to be the most pious of any character I have ever read. She sees herself as a devout Christian and ‘do gooder’, always thinking of others... however she is actually an interfering, manipulative little busybody who has an unholy obsession with Godfrey Ablewhite. Rachel Flowerday and Sasha Hails have written a fabulous script and I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this BBC production - bring on the bonnet!”

Thomson and Hadland will be joined by rising stars of theatre Joshua Silver (Photograph 51, Wolf Hall/Bring up the Bodies) and Terenia Edwards (Hero’s Welcome, Five Finger Exercise) who make their television debuts in the central roles of Franklin Blake and Rachel Verinder – one of literature’s most enduring couples.

The five part series will also feature Sophie Ward as Lady Verinder, Stewart Clarke as Godfrey Ablewhite, Leo Wringer as Betteredge, and David Calder as Mr Bruff, with further casting to be announced.

Described by TS Eliot as "the First and Greatest of English Detective novels", The Moonstone sees the charismatic adventurer Franklin Blake on the most important quest of his life - to solve the disappearance of the priceless Moonstone and win back Rachel Verinder, his one true love. Brilliantly combining adventure with romance and some of British literature’s finest characters, this classic mystery’s twists and turns make The Moonstone the perfect treat for viewers.

The Moonstone will broadcast over five consecutive afternoons on BBC One Daytime, and is made in association with BBC Learning as part of the BBC’s #LoveToRead campaign. The series will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

It is adapted for screen by Rachel Flowerday (Father Brown, EastEnders) and Sasha Hails (Versailles, Casualty) and made by King Bert Productions. The series will be directed by Lisa Mulcahy (Red Rock, The Clinic) and produced by Joanna Hanley (Billionaire Boy). The Executive Producers are Jo Sargent and John Yorke (King Bert) and Dan McGolpin (BBC).

Dan McGolpin, Controller of BBC Daytime and Early-Peak, says: “The Moonstone spawned a new genre: the detective novel. Its influence endures to the present day, in books and on television. With the help of BBC Learning we are offering BBC One viewers the chance to see this gripping story play out across five afternoons. I’m thrilled that the production has attracted such a strong cast, a mix of well-known and up and coming actors, all incredibly talented. Our viewers are in for a treat.”

Jo Sargent and John Yorke added “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing Wilkie Collins’ enduring classic to television. It’s the first major adaptation for nearly 20 years and we’re thrilled BBC Daytime have entrusted us with the task of bringing it to life on the screen.”

Filming commences today in Yorkshire, for transmission later this year on BBC One.

Notes to Editors

• 5 x 45 mins
• King Bert is a UK based production company set up by Miranda Hart, Jo Sargent and David Walliams.

The BBC #LovetoRead campaign celebrates reading for pleasure and aims to create a unique national conversation about books. Further information can be found here