Sir Lenny Henry is set to feature in a one-off film special of the award-winning novel, 'My Name Is Leon'.
The heartbreaking story, originally written by British-Irish author Kit de Waal, follows the life of Leon.
Set in 1980s Birmingham, the nine year-old mixed-race boy is on a quest to reunite his family.
During the height of the 1980s race riots, this tale centres on his attempts to make sense of his ever-changing world.
With a beautiful baby brother whose skin colour differs from his own, and with their mother on the brink of a mental breakdown, Leon and Jake are sent into foster care.
This upcoming movie adaptation, which was largely filmed in Birmingham, is the first screenplay for television made by Shola Amoo.
His 2019 feature The Last Tree premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
National treasure and television legend Sir Lenny Henry CBE is set to star in the new production playing Mr Johnson.
He's an elderly gardener at the allotment who Leon enjoys paying visits to when he's in need of a comforting friend. Henry is also the executive producer of the movie.
Joining him will be Malachi Kirby, recognisable for his roles in the 2016 US miniseries Roots as well as the Black Mirror episode "Men Against Fire".
Kirby will play the role of Tutfy Burrows, who Leon also meets at the allotment.
He introduces the young boy to his own brand of ethnic politics.
Monica Donlan, famed for her BAFTA-award winning performance as killer Rosemary West in ITV's Appropriate Adult, is also set to join the line-up as Maureen, Leon's matter-of-fact yet adoring foster carer.
Maureen and her sister Sylvia, played by The Sixth Sense actress Olivia Williams, attempt to reunite young Leon with his family.
Also joining the cast is ninth incarnation of Doctor Who , Christopher Eccleston, as well as Ackley Bridge 's Poppy Lee Friar and Coronation Street 's Shobna Gulati.
The youngest addition to the star-studded line-up is Cole Martin, who will be playing the lead, Leon, in his first ever television role.
The witty yet heart-wrenching film is set to air on BBC One in the coming months.
