Dame Emma Thompson to star in new drama

Dame Emma Thompson will star in a new BBC drama series.

The 59-year-old actress has signed up to appear as controversial celebrity-turned-politician Vivienne Rook in Russell T. Davies\' \'Years & Years\'

The futuristic limited series - which will also air on HBO in the US and Canal Plus in France - follows the Lyons family over a 15-year period, beginning in 2019, as they experience a society changed by political instability, technological advances and a changing economy.

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Producers said in a statement: "We find out if this ordinary family could ever change the world," the producers said in a statement."

The star-studded cast also features Rory Kinnear as financial advisor Stephen Lyons, with \'Marcella\' actress T\'Nia Miller portraying his ambitious wife Celeste.

\'Quantico\' actor Russell Tovey, \'Paddington 2\' actress Jessica Hynes and \'Cold Feet\'s Ruth Madeley will play Stephen\'s siblings, Daniel, Edith and Rosie, while \'Last Tango in Halifax\' actress Anne Reid has signed up to play their grandmother Muriel.

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Creator Russell is delighted with his "dream cast" on the production, which will film in Manchester.

He said: "This is a dream cast, put together by [casting director] Andy Pryor, the man who found Jodie Whittaker to be Doctor Who. I\'m very lucky, and very excited to start filming."

HBO have promised the show will be "important and entertaining".

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Their programming president, Casey Bloys, said: "HBO is thrilled to once again partner with the BBC and to be joining RED Production Company in showcasing the stellar work of Russell T Davies and Emma Thompson with this sweeping family saga which captures the spirit of our time.

"No other writer could have written such an original, important and entertaining state of the nation drama, with a family at its center that an audience will want to spend time with.

"I\'m thrilled a cast of this caliber will bring them to life."