David Tennant to appear in 'Spies of Warsaw'

Former Doctor Who actor David Tennant has been cast in the lead role in the BBC Four historical crime drama Spies of Warsaw.

The two ninety-minute episodes are based on Alan Furst’s acclaimed novels, and have been adapted by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.

Tennant will play Mercier and star alongside Janet Montgomery (Black Swan, Merlin) in the role of Anna. Torchwood's Burn Gorman will also appear in the BBC Worldwide/ARTE France co-production.

Judith Louis, Director of Fiction at ARTE France said: “Our collaboration on this historical, entertaining and elegant espionage series further illustrates how ARTE France and BBC Worldwide share the same vision when it comes to drama.”

Ben Donald, Executive Producer for International Drama at BBC Worldwide, said: “We have big ambitions for Spies of Warsaw and for making it the beginning of a run of adaptations of Alan Furst’s novels and it is fantastic to have ARTE on board at the start. With the story taking place in Poland, France and Germany the adaptation offers some really interesting casting opportunities.

“Along with Parade’s End we now have two major collaborations with ARTE France and definitely aspire to develop this partnership further with more ambitious dramas.”

Richard Fell, Executive Producer and Head of Drama, Fresh Pictures, commented on the cast: “We are thrilled and delighted that David and Janet are going to be in Spies of Warsaw. They are both actors of such great range and quality they will light up the screen as the star crossed lovers Jean Francois and Anna.”

The two 90-minute film adaptations of Furst’s acclaimed novels will bring a combination of historically located, intelligent narratives, interlaced with flawed, romantic and utterly compelling characters. Furst, widely recognised as the current master of the historical spy novel, evokes a Europe stumbling into a Second World War, his taut and richly atmospheric thrillers grace the bestseller lists right around the globe. They have been described as “Casablanca meets John le Carre”.

Coky Giedroyc (Sherlock) has been appointed as director and filming will begin in Poland next month.

(Source: BBC Media Centre)