'Life on Mars' star Philip Glenister has been cast opposite Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton and Francesca Annis in the BBC's new period drama series 'Cranford Chronicles'.
The series, based on three novels by author Elizabeth Gaskell, focuses on the people of Cranford in the 1840s as they face modernity and is described as "uniquely rich and comic".
Glenister, who played DCI Gene Hunt in 'Life on Mars', will play Mr Carter in the series.
Dench will play Miss Matty Jenkyns, a woman who was forced to give up the man (Gambon) she loved and live in the shadow of her older sister.
Commenting, Kate Harwood, BBC Head of Drama Series & Serials, said: "We are privileged to have assembled a great cast to give life to these wonderful characters, now we can look forward to seeing these richly moving stories unfold."
