Elaine Cassidy and Sheila Hancock are among the stars who have signed up for ITV's new drama Just Henry.
The feature-length tale is set just after the Second World War and is based on a novel by Michelle Magorian.
It will star Nowhere Boy's Josh Bolt as Henry, a young man who suffers from nightmares and is struggling to come to terms with his father's death and his mother's remarriage.
Irish actress Cassidy - who has previously starred in spooky US TV whodunit Harper's Island - will play Henry's mother Maureen, while Sheila Hancock will appear as his grandmother.
"Just Henry is a really heart-warming script which follows the journey of one boy's discovery that will change his life, family and friends forever," said ITV's Director of Drama Commissioning Laura Mackie.
"It's rich with detail from the post-war era and has a very sympathetic and engaging young character at its heart. The film will be a wonderful treat for the Christmas schedule."
Filming for Just Henry takes place in Leeds later this month and will air on ITV1 at Christmas.
