Dawn French signs up for new ITV series Glass Houses

Dawn French has signed up to star in new ITV comedy-drama \'Glass Houses\'.

\'The Vicar of Dibley\' actress is very excited to be part of a stellar cast which includes Mike Heap, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Vicki Pepperdine and Patrick Robinson in the six-part series.

French will portray Maggie Connors a village gossip who gives a revealing interview to a local radio journalist about the locals and their personal lives causing much commotion.

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Green Wing\'s Heap will play Maggie\'s husband Peter.

Genial Productions - founded by \'Men Behaving Badly\' writer Simon Nye and producer Sophie Clarke-Jervoise - are producing from a script by \'Shameless\' and \'Cold Feet\' writer Mark Brotherhood.

Speaking about the role, Dawn said: "It\'s such a good story with a fantastic funny, touching script by Mark Brotherhood. Let me at it!"

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Saskia Schuster, ITV\'s Comedy Controller, has promised that the new Devon-based show will be captivating and full of "intriguing" characters.

Schuster said: "\'Glass Houses\' is a new drama in the tradition of \'Doc Martin\' and \'The Darling Buds of May\', full of warmth and intriguing characters. This new series will embrace its beautiful idyllic South Devon setting as we meet the villagers of Thurlbury and find out how an innocent afternoon spent indiscreetly gossiping has a domino effect on the whole village."

Former \'Coronation Street\' actress Hesmondhalgh will play Maggie\'s best friend Jill and \'Johnny English Strikes Again\' star Pepperdine will take on the role of school receptionist Karen.

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Casualty\'s Robinson will portray intellectual heartthrob Marcus who rents a cottage in the picturesque coastal town to pen his best-selling novels.