Eddie to play Long John Silver

Eddie Izzard is to play Long John Silver in a new version of Treasure Island for Sky1.

Production is due to start in the drama next month in Ireland and Puerto Rico, and is set to be broadcast over two, two-hour episodes at Christmas 2012.

It will be the first live-action adaptation of the novel for British TV since the BBC's version in 1977, but could receive a knock-on benefit from the success of the Pirates Of The Caribbean swashbucklers.

Izzard is increasingly supplementing his stand-up with drama. Last year he appeared in BBC One's revival of The Day of the Triffids and he starred in The Riches on American’s FX network for two series from 2007.

Sophie Turner Laing, Sky's managing director of entertainment and news, said: ‘We have Treasure Island in production which stars Eddie Izzard, which is really exciting. He doesn't do that much television so we are very excited that he is to play Long John Silver.’

Published: 25 Oct 2010