ITV has announced further casting for its 4-part drama about Cary Grant, which is currently filming across the North of England.
Written by Jeff Pope (Stan & Ollie, See No Evil: The Moors Murders, Philomena), Archie stars Jason Isaacs in the leading role.
Joining him are Laura Aikman (Bluestone 42, Gavin and Stacey) as Cary’s ex-wife Dyan Cannon with Harriet Walter (Succession, Ted Lasso, Killing Eve), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton), Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge), Lisa Faulkner (EastEnders) and Niamh Cusack (The Virtues).
It is being produced by Etta Pictures, Pope’s rebranded ITV Studios label, with Britbox International as co-production partners.
Born in Bristol, England in 1904, to parents Elsie and Elias, Archie tells the story of how a young Archibald Alexander Leach’s troubled childhood and extreme poverty, his father’s adultery and the loss of his older brother, John, tore the family apart and sent his loving mother into a downward spiral of grief and depression.
At 14 he auditioned for the music hall act, the Bob Pender Troupe, a band of acrobats, stilt walkers, clown and comedians after seeing them perform at the Bristol Hippodrome. Lean and athletic, he learned the art of stilt walking, and when the troupe went on tour to the US, teenage Archie was intoxicated by the land of opportunity. Believing he had no family to return to in the UK, he decided to stay in the US to try to make his way in showbusiness.
A chance meeting with the comedian George Burns turned him to acting, a studio contract followed and Cary Grant was born.
The drama is being produced with the blessing of Grant’s daughter, Jennifer Grant, and ex-wife Dyan Cannon. Pope interview both women about him and they are Executive Producers on the production.
It’s currently filming on location in Manchester, Chester and Liverpool
Archie will premiere on ITVX, ITV’s new, free streaming platform later this year.
