Jodie Comer, Kristin Scott Thomas and Martin Freeman are among the actors starring in a new rendition of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads.
The monologue series, which was first performed for TV in 1988 and 1998, is currently being remade during isolation for broadcast on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer in the coming months.
Comer, Scott Thomas and Freeman will be performing a selection of the original monologues, alongside performances from Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville, Harriet Walter, Maxine Peake, Kristin Scott, Lucian Mscamati, Rochenda Sandall and Tamsin Greig.
Meanwhile, two new speeches written by Bennett last year will also be performed, with Monica Dolan starring in “The Shrine” and Happy Valley’s Sarah Lancashire reading “An Ordinary Woman”.
Under coronavirus lockdown rules, the actors will rehearse with theatre directors including Sarah Frankcom and Marianne Elliott over video call, before filming at Elstree Studios while complying with strict social distancing measures.
Speaking about the remake, Bennett said: “In such difficult circumstances, that the BBC should choose to remount both series of Talking Heads, and produce two entirely new ones, is a comfort and a huge compliment. I hope a new generation of actors will get and give as much pleasure as we did 20 and 30 years ago.”
Bennett is an Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright and screenwriter, best known for creating The History Boys and The Lady in the Van.
