Suranne Jones creates and stars in double-life drama for ITV

Suranne Jones is set to create and star in an emotional family drama for ITV about a woman living a double life.

The Vigil actor will take a lead role in Maryland, which she will also co-create with screenwriter Anne-Marie O’Connor, commissioned by ITV as a three-part series.

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It looks at the relationship between sisters Becca (Jones) and Rosaline, brought together by family tragedy and a strange discovery.

Jones said: "Maryland delves into family dynamics and the way in which we ‘label’ each other, sometimes never letting ourselves or our siblings break free from those roles. We look at how we grow apart from one another and how sometimes we don’t really know anything about the people we call our own.

"I love how complex sibling relationships can be and I’m thrilled we get to do it over three wonderful hours and not as a ‘side story’.

"Maryland is an uncomfortable, funny and sometimes difficult story with two sisters at its heart and we can’t wait to take our audience along for the ride."

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Becca and Rosaline's family lives and careers have seen them drift apart over time, but when the body of their mother Mary is discovered on Laxey Beach on the Isle of Man, they unite in their grief to bring her back home.

However, they discover that Mary has been living a double life, leaving their father Richard at home in Manchester to continue a completely different existence on the Isle of Man.

The sisters also find years of misunderstandings have left them needing to reconnect as they try to love and respect each other again.

Filming for Maryland is set to begin later this year and further casting will be announced.

Jones is set to appear in the lead role of the second season of Gentleman Jack on BBC One this spring.

The Sally Wainwright drama stars Jones as 19th century entrepreneur Anne Lister, who set up home in Yorkshire living as a married couple with Ann Walker who is played by Sophie Rundle.

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