Rosamund Pike will voice Lady Penelope while David Graham will return as her chauffeur Parker in the new Thunderbirds TV series, it has been announced.
Thunderbirds Are Go! will be broadcast on ITV in 2015, 50 years after the cult show featuring the exploits of International Rescue first went on air..embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
Graham drove Lady Penelope’s pink Rolls-Royce when he voiced chauffeur and International Rescue agent Parker in the original 1965 Thunderbirds, created by Gerry Anderson and his second wife, Sylvia.
He said of joining the new instalment, which will combine CGI (computer-generated imagery) animation and live-action model sets: “I am triple chuffed to be on board the new series of Thunderbirds Are Go! and reprising my role of dear old Parker with such a distinguished cast.
“My driving skills are in good nick and I am delighted to be behind the wheel again with M’Lady. Cheerio!”
The World’s End actress Pike said of her role in the new series: “I’m very excited to bring Lady Penelope’s wry wit and taste for adventure to a new generation.
“Exploring the scenes with David Graham has been an absolute delight. The scripts are very modern, very fresh and very funny. We’re all eagerly anticipating our next stint in the recording studio!”
Executive producer Giles Ridge said: “Each member of the cast has brought a brilliantly fresh and unique approach to these wonderful characters.
“I can’t think of anyone better than Rosamund to bring back to life the fabulous Lady Penelope and we are honoured that David Graham has joined the cast to revisit his role as Parker.”
Thunderbirds enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s and was adapted into a major feature film in 1966 and a sequel two years later.
The new series, featuring the five Tracy brothers piloting their “incredible vehicles into impossible rescues across the globe”, is set to “affectionately pay tribute” to the classic show, created by Anderson, who died in December at the age of 83.
Other cast members include Fonejacker star Kayvan Novak as inventor Brains and Game Of Thrones actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster as both Tracy brothers Gordon and John.
Lead Balloon actor Rasmus Hardiker has been cast as both the youngest and oldest Tracy brothers Alan and Scott. The fifth brother, Virgil, will be played by David Menkin.
Sandra Dickinson will voice Tracy Island matriarch Grandma Tracy and Andres Williams will voice master villain The Hood. Merlin’s Angel Coulby and Doctor Who’s Adjoa Andoh will voice new characters.