Christopher Eccleston will star as Fagin in 'Dodger'.
Christopher Eccleston
The 57-year-old actor will take on the iconic role alongside Billy Jenkins as the titular character in the upcoming BBC series - which was written by Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery, with Charlie Higson guest writing an episode - set before the events of Charles Dickens’ novel, 'Oliver Twist'.
Christopher said: “Fagin is an iconic role, I’m a very fortunate actor. Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery have taken Charles Dickens’ extraordinary characters and imagined a whole new world and lives for them. I’m very, very excited.”
The 10-part series will follow Dodger and his group of orphaned misfits - including Aabay Ali, Ellie-May Sheridan, Mila Lieu, and Connor Curren - as they pickpocket the people of London to satisfy Fagin's demands whilst trying to avoid Chief of Police, Sir Charles Rowan (David Threlfall).
The cast also includes Saira Choudhry as Nancy, Sam C Wilson as Bill Sikes, Tanya Reynolds as Queen Victoria, Lucy Montgomery as Fagin’s landlady, Minnie Bilge, and Frances Barber as theatrical dame Eliza Vestris.
Javone Prince plays inept copper PC Blathers and writer Rhys Thomas takes an on-screen role as his partner PC Duff.
Rhys added: “I have always loved 'Oliver Twist' but wasn't so keen on Oliver himself. I preferred the company of Dodger, Fagin and the gang. I thought it would be fun to create a family show with Dodger at its heart and see how he came to be a master criminal in Victorian London.
"Working with the very best material as a springboard, it’s a total delight to expand Dickens’ rich world of characters and create a few of my own. To top it all, we have an incredible cast who are starring in the show. I can’t wait for families all over the world to see it!”
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