New BBC Two drama tells the story

John Sessions, Shane Richie and Sally Phillips are to star in a new drama about the making of Dad’s Army.

The one-off BBC Two programme comes ahead of a big-screen version of the comedy, due to be released next year, starring Toby Jones and Bill Nighy.

Sessions will play Arthur Lowe opposite Julian Sands as John Le Mesurier and Richie as Bill Pertwee, with Paul Ritter and Richard Dormer as writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

The cast also includes Keith Allen as Paul Fox, Kevin Bishop as James Beck, Michael Cochrane as Arnold Ridley, Ralph Riach as John Laurie and Sally Phillips as David Croft's wife Anne. Further cast details will be announced at a later date.

The Making Of Dad’s Army – still a working title – will cover the period between Perry’s initial idea in 1967 until the first episode going out in 1968 and how the creators 'overcame BBC management scepticism, focus groups and cast constipation to get the much loved legend onto air'.

The BBC say: 'This affectionate and witty film shows the beginnings of Perry and Croft's writing partnership and the casting woes, personal clashes and production difficulties that put the show's very existence in jeopardy. It reveals to fans and newcomers alike what went on behind the scenes in the making of Dad's Army and is a true love letter to British creativity.'

BBC Two controller Kim Shillinglaw announced the news at the Edinburgh Television Festival.

The drama will be filmed in Northern Ireland and will be directed by Steve Bendelack, whose credits include The Royle Family and The League of Gentlemen).

Published: 28 Aug 2015