Deadline reports that Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) has been cast as Joseph Merrick, also known as the Elephant Man in BBC One’s The Elephant Man.
The drama will consist of two 90 minutes parts that will cover the course of Joseph Merrick’s short, but incredible life. The story starts from the beginning in Leicestershire with his working-class family. This will also shine a light on the beginnings of the development of the physical deformities and his transformation into the titular Elephant Man. BBC One’s The Elephant Man will then move towards covering his time in the work-houses after his relationship with his father dissipated before moving into the freak shows that would cement his place in history.
The drama will then cover his time at the London Hospital towards the end of his life and the development of his friendship with Dr. Frederick Treves before his death at the age of 27.
The two-part drama was ordered by Piers Wenger of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. The series is written by Neil McKay (The Moorside, Appropriate Adult). Richard Laxton (Effie Gray, Burton & Taylor) will be directing.
Executive producers are Elaine Pyke (Hex, Indian Summers) and Charlie Pattinson (Mansfield Park, Shameless) for New Pictures and Tommy Bulfin (Peaky Blinders, The Missing) for BBC. Tom Mullens (Endeavor, Vanity Fair) will be producing. all3media will handle international distribution and is an associate producer on the series.
The series will start filming in Wales next year. Casting is still underway for the series, so keep your eyes peeled for further announcements.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
