Sheridan Smith to star in ITV's Isolation Stories

Sheridan Smith has joined the cast of ITV\'s coronavirus lockdown drama \'Isolation Stories\'.

The 38-year-old actress - who is expecting her first child with husband Jamie Horn - has signed up for the first of the four 15-minute episodes from BAFTA-winning executive producer Jeff Pope, which will tell the stories of four different families, inspired by true people, coping through the pandemic.

Sheridan will star in \'Mel\' - written by Gaby Chiappe and directed by Paul Whittington - about a heavily pregnant woman who will have to give birth without the married father as he is self-isolating with his wife and children.

She said of the new project: "I am heavily pregnant and have been isolating at home so I jumped at the chance to make a drama about the massive drama going on all around us right now.

"I think it\'s really important to try and reflect what\'s happening to us whilst it is still actually happening."

The episodes will be filmed by the stars, who will collaborate with those they are self-isolating with to shoot the scenes. The directors will work remotely to ensure they do not break any social distancing rules.

\'Karen\' will star Eddie Marsan and David Threlfall, and is written by Neil McKay and directed by David Blair.

It will follow David\'s granddad character as he attempts to cheer up his grandchildren - played by Eddie\'s on-screen sons Blue and Bodie - by dancing outside their window after their mum\'s death.

In \'Mike And Rochelle\' - from writer William Ivory and director Paul Andrew Williams - Darren Boyds will play hypochondriac Mike, who demands an online therapy session with his psychiatrist Rochelle (Angela Griffin), who must calm his nerves through the crisis.

Finally, Jeff\'s own episode \'Ron and Russel\' will feature Robert Glenister and his actor son Tom to tell the story of Ron, who is suffering with the virus and putting a strain on his already fractured relationship with his son while he is trapped inside.