Kara Tointon is to star in a Christmas Day live broadcast of 'The Sound of Music'.
Kara Tointon
The 32-year-old actress - who's previously starred as Dawn Swann in 'EastEnders' - is to play the part of Maria in the two-and-a-half-hour TV dramatisation of the popular musical, which is being broadcast on ITV.
Looking forward to the landmark event, ITV's director of entertainment and comedy Elaine Bedell said: "This is the first time in the UK that this type of project has been attempted - a musical drama both performed and broadcast live - but big ambitious live television events is what ITV does well.
"We've assembled some of the very best talent both in front of and behind the camera, and I can't wait to see it all come together."
The production - which will feature songs from the classic soundtrack, including 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria' and 'My Favourite Things' - is being directed by Richard Valentine.
Meanwhile, it's been confirmed Julian Ovenden will take the role of Captain Georg von Trapp, while Katherine Kelly and Alexander Armstrong are to star as Baroness Elsa Schraeder and Max Detweiler respectively.
The announcement comes after Carrie Underwood starred as Maria in a live version of the musical in the US.
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