Who is in the star-studded cast of BBC’s Great Expectations including Olivia Colman?

The BBC are certainly living up to Charles Dickens’ second novel title as the star-studded cast provide ‘Great Expectations’ for the upcoming adaptation.

While Dickens' story has been told multiple times on screens both small and silver, the latest version will have a ‘bit more edge than your average period drama’.

At the helm is Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, who said the familiar story would be amended with a few ‘saucy lines’ thrown into the script to invite the modern audiences in.

Knight explained that the changes were made all the more easier when Academy Award winner Olivia Colman was cast as the infamous Miss Havisham, stating: 

“[Miss Havisham] was written as quite a big role anyway…But when I knew it was Olivia obviously then you go back and start to enjoy yourself because you can start adding [a] bit more of what Olivia brings. She’s just so powerful on the screen.”

As Olivia Colman prepares to make her debut as the wealthy Miss Havisham, PeopleWorld takes a look at who will be appearing alongside her:

Fionn Whitehead

English actor Fionn Whitehead takes on the leading role of Pip, whose life changes when he meets the mysterious Miss Havisham.

Many may recognise Fionn Whitehead as he appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk with Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy and Harry Styles, and Netflix’s 2018 film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

Matt Berry

Swapping his comedic roles for the more serious and pompous casting of Pip’s uncle Mr Pumblechuck.

Matt has established himself as an actor through multiple British TV shows such as The IT Crowd and What We Do In The Shadows, in addition to gaining a BAFTA for his performance in Toast of London - which he co-created.

Shalom Brune-Franklin

Shalom plays the part of Estella. Much like Miss Havisham telling Estella that she has a ‘duty’ to torment men and break their hearts, Australian actress Shalom Brune-Franklin found prominence through BBC’s Line of Duty where she played DC Chloe Bishop.

Other notable BBC credits to Shalom’s name include Our Girl and The Tourist, where she starred opposite Jamie Dornan.

You can watch Olivia Colman in Great Expectations tonight at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.