Dawn French has signed up to star as a gossip in a new ITV series.
Glass Houses is said to be “in the tradition” of TV hits Doc Martin and The Darling Buds Of May.
Set in south Devon, the actress and comedian plays nosy Maggie Connors, who pays no heed to the adage that “those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”.
Mark Heap has been cast as her husband, while Julie Hesmondhalgh, Vicki Pepperdine and Patrick Robinson also star in the drama as locals.
ITV’s comedy controller Saskia Schuster said: “Glass Houses is a new drama in the tradition of Doc Martin and The Darling Buds Of May, full of warmth and intriguing characters.
“This new series will embrace its beautiful, idyllic south Devon setting as we meet the villagers of Thurlbury and find out how an innocent afternoon spent indiscreetly gossiping has a domino effect on the whole village.”
French’s character “makes it her business to know a bit about everyone’s lives”.
When a radio journalist interviews her for a small reportage piece about local life, she embellishes the personal lives of the locals, and her public gossip-fest sparks a fallout.
French said of the six-part series: “Sophie and I have been developing Glass Houses for some time and I can’t wait to finally get started in front of the camera.
“It’s such a good story with a fantastic, funny, touching script by Mark Brotherhood. Let me at it!”