ITV has announced the cast for its upcoming drama series about the early days of the Ann Summers party plan business.

Sharon Rooney, Penelope Wilton, Angela Griffin and Sophie Rundle will star as “four women striving to find happiness and fulfilment” in Brief Encounters, set in the early 1980s.

Inspired by chapters in Jacqueline Gold’s memoir, Good Vibrations, the six-part series is created and written by Fay Rusling and Oriane Messina (Green Wing, Me & Mrs Jones).

Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey) is Pauline, whose sunny disposition hides a secret sadness. Peter Wight (Our Zoo) plays her husband, local butcher Brian.

Angela Griffin (Lewis) is Nita, a mix of grit and warmth, struggling to run a household with a husband, played by Don Gilet (EastEnders) who frequently strays onto the wrong side of the law.

Sharon Rooney (My Mad Fat Diary) stars as young hairdresser, Dawn who has a lust for life. Her fiancé is Russell, the butcher’s apprentice, played by Will Merrick (Skins).

Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders) is Steph, who feels invisible until Ann Summers party planning comes into her life. Karl Davies (Emmerdale) plays her husband, Terry.

Executive producer Arabella McGuigan commented: “We’re delighted to have on board such a wonderful, inspiring cast to bring Brief Encounters boldly to life. Our four central female characters, their associated menfolk, mothers and friends are strong, relatable, surprising and funny and they’ll leap off the page in the hands of our stars. We can’t wait to see the first results.”

Produced by Jo Willett (Birds of a Feather), Brief Encounters began filming in Sheffield last month.

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