Cast announced for new royal sitcom

Downton Abbey actor Charles Edwards is to star in a new comedy about a fictional king of the UK – with Sally Phillips as his queen.

Also in the cast of Henry IX, announced today are former Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing star Kara Tointon plus Annette Crosbie, Colin Salmon, Don Warrington, Pippa Haywood, Gina Bellman and Robert Portal.

The three-part sitcom has been written for the Gold channel by comedy legends Dick Clement and  Ian La Frenais,  creators of  The Likely Lads, Porridge, Lovejoy and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

Filming starts on the series – which revolves around a monarch undergoing a  mid-life crisis – today.

One Foot In The Grave star Crosbie plays the King Mother; Haywood is Prime Minister Gwen Oxlade; and Tointon plays Serena, the Palace florist and potential love interest.

Edwards play Michael Gregson in Downton – a wealthy London publisher who wins the heart of Lady Edith Crawley. He previously played Michael Palin in 2011’s Holy Flying Circus. 

Henry IX, which is directed by Leon The Pig Farmer film-maker Vadim Jean, will air on Gold next year.

Published: 13 Sep 2016