Coronation Street star Ian Puleston-Davies, who lives in Hoole, has landed a role in ITV’s version of one of literature’s greatest and most enduring heroes Beowulf.
Ian, who comes from Flint, filmed his final scenes as builder Owen Armstrong on Coronation Street earlier this month although he will be seen on screen until May.
But he will be back on screen later this year in the action-packed 13 part drama series to be produced by ITV Studios.
The 13-part series is described by ITV as “a series about courage, greed, betrayal, revenge, loyalty, power, man versus wilderness and, of course love.
Ian, 56, was not available for comment about the new role but a friend is reported to have said he is “up to the challenge”.
Coronation Street stars turn out for Ian Puleston-Davies' leaving do
Speaking about his exit from Coronation Street he said: “Next year I will have been playing Owen Armstrong for five years and it felt like a good point to move on and take some time to focus on new projects. I have returned to my other passion of writing and in 2015 hope to put on a new play.”
Kieran Bew (Da Vinci’s Demons, The Bletchley Circle) has been cast to play
The lead role of Beowulf will be played by Kieran Bew. He and Ian will star alongside multi award winning actor William Hurt and acclaimed actress Joanne Whalley.
James Dormer who will write and executive produce said the series is a “western set in the Dark Ages of Britain’s mythic past”.
He said: “Hundreds of years ago our ancestors listened to the story of Beowulf because it was a great adventure story - it scared them, thrilled them, made them laugh and cry. But they also listened because they recognised themselves and their fears in it.
"By holding a mirror up to them this story helped define them and thus - us. So it’s incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to make it relevant again for a wide audience - to let them own it again. To let them see themselves in it.”
Filming will begin in the North East later this month for transmission on ITV.
