Alongside Robbie Coltrane as a comedian under scrutiny

Julie Walters and Andrea Riseborough are to join  Robbie Coltrane in a new Channel 4 drama about a fading comedian caught up in an Operation Yewtree-style police operation into historic sex crimes.

Chortle this morning reported that Comic Strip and Harry Potter star Coltrane will take the lead role in the four-part serial National Treasure. He plays Paul Finchley, half of a much-loved comedy double act whose life unravels when he is faced with an accusation of rape.

Now the broadcaster has announced that Walters will play Paul’s supportive  long-term wife Marie, forced to question the man she’s spent her life with.

Riseborough, who played the former Primer Minister in Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley, plays Dee, Paul’s daughter, a deeply troubled recovering addict whose recovery is affected by the accusations.

Adrian Edmondson has reportedly been in talks to play the other comedian, but has not been confirmed.

The drama is written by Jack Thorne, whose credits include the acclaimed This is England '86, '88, '90 series, as well as the forthcoming Harry Potter play for the West End, and directed by Marc Munden, who worked on Utopia and The Devil’s Whore.

Thorne said: 'It is truly incredible to work with actors of this extraordinary calibre. I've had such an amazing time in rehearsals watching Marc working with them. I can't wait for shooting to start.

‘National Treasure is a piece about doubt, about the smell of abuse, about how we as a society live in Yewtree times. Paul is a man who could be innocent or guilty. We're going to examine him from all sides and ask that big question – how well do we know the people closest to us?'

Filming is set to start in Leeds next month, and the serial will air later this year.

Piers Wenger, Channel 4's head of drama, added: 'Jack has created three incredibly nuanced characters in Paul, Marie and Dee and I can’t envision anyone better to tackle this challenging and fascinating piece than Robbie, Julie and Andrea. 

‘We’re delighted to have such universally respected and distinguished talent on board for this project, and I can’t wait to see them bring to life this timely and perceptive drama.’

Published: 22 Jan 2016