ITV have today announced that Life of Pi's Rafe Spall has joined their brand new drama Harry Price: Ghost Hunter as the titular character.
Rafe Spall / Credit: FAMOUS
Written by Jack Lothian and produced by Bentley Productions, the show will also see Cara Theobald step into the role of Sarah Grey, one member of Harry's team in his paranormal investigations. Richie Campbell takes on Harry's friend Albert Ogoro, and Lewis Reeves will play journalist Vernon Wall.
Further casting comes in the form of Tom Ward as MP Edward Goodwin and Zoe Boyle as Edward's wife, Grace.
Mixing real history with fiction, the two hour stand-alone drama is based on Neil Spring's novel The Ghost Hunters, set in 1920s London at a time when technology was rapidly evolving. Following Britain's most famous real-life ghost hunters and sceptic Harry Price, viewers will be taken on their journey as the group investigate tales of the paranormal and supernatural.
With his expertise at sleight of hand and a keen eye for those who are faking, the story begins with Harry falling on hard times both professionally and ethically. Resorting to making his living as a fake medium and fradulent ghost hunter, he conducts séances for unsuspecting families who think that ghosts are making their lives a misery.
After conducting one particular séance for a soldier looking for solace, Harry's lifestyle has some serious consequences when that soldier later takes his life on the doorstep of Harry's home.
Months later, Harry's offered a life-changing opportunity to investigate the haunting of a local MP's home as the case threatens to ruin the politician's reputation, and that of his political party. It's a task Harry can't reject, and he calls on the services of his old friends during the investigation.
Chatting about the role, Spall said: "I'm delighted to be portraying Harry Price for ITV. It's a fantastic piece of history that has mass appeal and I can't wait to start filming."
Executive producer Jo Wright adds: "It's a great thrill to be making Harry Price: Ghost Hunter for ITV. Bentley Productions is developing a raft of new and exciting projects and this is one of my favourites. To be able to combine the book by Neil Spring with a script by Jack Lothian has been a delight, and we look forward to making this for our ITV audience."
Filming commences in London from the end of August and throughout September 2015.
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