The cast has been revealed for a new Sherlock Holmes movie starring Ian McKellen.

Set in 1947, Mr Holmes will see the X-Men star play Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s private detective at the age of 93, Screen Daily reports.

Based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin, the film is directed by Bill Condon and will be filming on location in London and on the South Coast of England.

McKellen commented: “Sherlock Holmes at 93 is retired, still solving mysteries: but here’s the sting – he also keeps bees. So many splendid actors have already played the part but none of them had Bill Condon directing. I’m the lucky one: and I’m excited.”

Laura Linney (The Big C) will play Holmes’s housekeeper Mrs Munro. Other cast members include Roger Allam (Endeavour), Phil Davis (Silk), Frances de la Tour (Vicious), Hattie Morahan (The Golden Compass), Patrick Kennedy (War Horse), Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine) and Milo Parker (Ghosthunters: On Icy Trails) as Mrs Munro’s son.

The synopsis reads: “An ageing Sherlock Holmes returns from a journey to Japan, where, in search of a rare plant with powerful restorative qualities, he has witnessed the devastation of nuclear warfare.

“Now, in his remote seaside farmhouse, Holmes faces the end of his days tending to his bees, with only the company of his housekeeper and her young son, Roger.

“Grappling with the diminishing powers of his mind, Holmes comes to rely upon the boy as he revisits the circumstances of the unsolved case that forced him into retirement, and searches for answers to the mysteries of life and love – before it’s too late.”

The BBC announced last week that Sherlock will return for a one-off special in 2015, followed by a series of three new episodes.

Are you looking forward to Mr Holmes? Let us know below…