BBC Drama Productions have announced full cast details of the forthcoming drama Tess Of The D’Urbervilles for BBC One.

Gemma Arterton (James Bond: Quantum Of Solace, St Trinian’s) stars as Tess, the spirited heroine of Thomas Hardy’s immortal work; Hans Matheson (The Virgin Queen, Dr Zhivago) plays Alec, who seduces her; Eddie Redmayne (Elizabeth: The Golden Age) is Angel, with whom she falls in love, and Jodie Whittaker (Venus) plays Izzy, her best friend.

The drama also features Ruth Jones (Gavin And Stacey, Saxondale) as Tess’s mother Joan, and Anna Massey (Oliver Twist, The Importance Of Being Earnest) is Mrs D’Urberville.

Written by David Nicholls (Starter For Ten, Much Ado About Nothing) and produced by David Snodin (Great Expectations, Crime And Punishment), the four-part adaptation of Hardy’s complex, profound and heart-breaking novel, Tess Of The D’Urbervilles, will be broadcast in autumn 2008 on BBC One. Read more & comment »