Charlotte Riley to play Kate Middleton in TV version of ‘King Charles III’ play

Charlotte Riley (L) and Tom Hardy arrive on the red carpet during the 88th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on February 28, 2016. Riley will soon be seen in the TV version of the play "King Charles III." File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

LONDON, Nov. 9 (UPI) — “Peaky Blinders” alum Charlotte Riley is to play Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, in the BBC’s television adaptation of Mike Bartlett’s stage play “King Charles III,” which will begin filming in and around Leeds this month.

“I couldn’t be more excited that ‘King Charles III’ is now fully, brilliantly cast and about to begin shooting. We have an exceptional team, both in front of and behind the camera, and I’m looking forward to bringing this very contemporary, royal tragedy to a national, television audience,” Bartlett said in a statement.

“I’m really excited to come on-board ‘King Charles III’ — Mike Bartlett and Rupert Goold are two brilliant creatives,” Riley added. “It’s such a unique project, to be both modern and rich in verse and to play someone who is real, but yet totally re-imagined for this story, is an exciting prospect for an actor. Kate Middleton is a really interesting woman, particularly within the context of this play, and it is a challenge I am really looking forward to.”

“Performing King Charles in Mike Bartlett’s astonishing play in London and New York has been one of the high-points of my career. I am thrilled that we are to film it — it is a drama about us, now, who we are, and the relevance of our monarchy. Television gives it an important, democratic voice,” remarked Tim Pigott-Smith, who is reprising his role of the title character from the play.

Returning as well from the theatrical production are director Rupert Goold, and actors Oliver Chris as Prince William, Richard Goulding as Prince Harry and Margot Leicester as Camilla, the king’s wife. Adam James will also reprise his role as Prime Minister Tristram Evans.

Joining the cast of the TV version are Priyanga Burford and Tamara Lawrance. The 90-minute drama is an imagining of Britain’s Prince Charles‘ accession to the throne following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

“King Charles III” is a co-production of the BBC and Masterpiece, in association with Drama Republic.

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