Advertisement

Doctor Who star to feature in BBC drama with Shameless and The Crown actors

Photo credit: Fred Duval/FilmMagic - Getty Images
Photo credit: Fred Duval/FilmMagic - Getty Images

Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston has joined the cast of BBC's upcoming family drama Dodger, which takes inspiration from Charles Dickens's iconic novel Oliver Twist.

The actor, who famously portrayed the ninth incarnation of the Time Lord, will join Saira Choudhry (Hollyoaks) and David Threlfall (Shameless) in the Victorian London-set series, which will air on CBBC and BBC iPlayer later this year.

Across the 10 parts, which are set before the events of the aforementioned book, he'll adopt the role of Fagin, the titular character's pick-pocketing mentor, while Threlfall will portray Sir Charles Rowan, Chief of Police.

Photo credit: Fred Duval/FilmMagic - Getty Images
Photo credit: Fred Duval/FilmMagic - Getty Images

Related: Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston explains why he avoids show canon

The Crown's Billy Jenkins will play the Artful Dodger, while Aabay Ali, Ellie-May Sheridan, Mila Lieu) and Connor Curren also feature.

"I'm a very fortunate actor," Eccleston said in a statement. "[Writers] 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."

"I have always loved Oliver Twist but wasn't so keen on Oliver himself," Thomas added. "I preferred the company of Dodger, Fagin and the gang.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Related: Doctor Who unveils first trailer for Christopher Eccleston's return as Ninth Doctor

"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!"


Digital Spy's digital magazine is back! Read every issue now with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox - and don't forget to join our Watch This Facebook Group for daily TV recommendations and discussions with other readers.

You Might Also Like