The BBC has announced the cast for Shane Meadows’ new drama The Gallows Pole

Shane Meadows (This is England) has assembled the cast for his first period TV drama The Gallows Pole. Pictured above are: top L-R: Michael Socha, Thomas Turgoose, George MacKay, Tom Burke, Sophie McShera; bottom L-R: Cara Theobold, Yusra Warsama, Samuel Edward-Cook, Anthony Welsh. The cast has worked in a whole range of productions, including This Is England, Downton Abbey, Hollyoaks and Peaky Blinders (full details in the announcement.)

What’s The Gallows Pole about?

The series is based on the novel of the same name by Benjamin Myers, and fictionalises the remarkable true story of the rise and fall of David Hartley and the Cragg Vale Coiners. Set against the backdrop of the coming industrial revolution in 18th century Yorkshire, the compelling drama follows the enigmatic David Hartley, played by Michael Socha, as he assembles a gang of weavers and land-workers to embark upon a revolutionary criminal enterprise that will capsize the economy and become the biggest fraud in British history.

In the announcement, Meadows talks a lot about casting, and adds:

“This is the 18th century yes, but viewed through a slightly more anarchic lens and will — like my previous work — have a soundtrack that fits the mood like a psychedelic glove, rather than historical expectations.”

We look forward to bringing you more news as production progresses.