As filming begins on The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ the BBC shares casting details

Oliver Savell plays Adrian, alongside a cast including Pam Ferris, Alun Armstrong, Lisa McGrillis and Colin Hoult.

What is The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole about and who do the cast play

Based on Sue Townsend’s best-selling book of the same name, the nine-part series is being adapted for the screen by David Nicholls (One Day, Us) and made by Big Talk Studios, part of ITV Studios, for the BBC.

The latest BBC press release sums up the story as:

It’s New Year’s Day 1981 and Adrian starts his uniquely funny diary about family life and being a teenager before the advent of mobile phones and social media. With only a multi-coloured ballpoint pen as his guide, Adrian worries about his spots, his parents’ divorce, the torment of first love and the fact he’s never seen a female nipple. This vivid portrait of suburban life in Britain shows how much we have changed while staying the same. The result is a timeless family drama that is as warm and funny as it is sad and poignant.

Oliver Savell (Changing Ends, Belfast) will star as the iconic Adrian Mole. Alongside Oliver as Adrian, Lisa McGrillis (Rivals, Mum) plays his mother Pauline and Colin Hoult (After Life, Slow Horses) plays his father George. Pam Ferris (Matilda, Darling Buds of May) joins the cast as Grandma, Galaxie Clear (Extra Geography, Secret Service) as Pandora and Alun Armstrong (The Choral, Breeders) as Bert. Other cast also announced today include Jude Forsey as Nigel, Rory Keenan as Mr Lucas, David Wilmot as Mr Scruton and Karl Collins as Mr Cherry.

The adaptation is also being written by Caitlin Moran and Caroline Moran (Raised By Wolves), Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor (Everyone Else Burns) and Jack Rooke (Big Boys).

More news as we get it.