Oliver Parker’s big-screen remake of classic BBC comedy, Dad’s Army, has unveiled a host of new recruits.
The literal chief among the recently-announced cast members is Toby Jones, who is onboard to play Captain Mainwaring, the no-nonsense leader of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard. Alongside Jones is Bill Nighy, who plays his second-in-command Sergeant Wilson. In the 70s show, these two roles where famously played by Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier, respectively.
First announced back in November 2012, this latest incarnation of the beloved sitcom will also star Catherina Zeta-Jones as Rose, a glamorous journalist who is due to document a story on the eccentric platoon — no mean feat, mind you. Rounding off the cast list Tom Courteany, Michael Gambon, Danny Mays and Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison.
Shooting is due to begin filming on location this month, and filming will take place entirely in Yorkshire.
The eccentric platoon of Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard will march back on screen for more shenanigans. And while we wait for an official release date to be revealed, you can check out the official synopsis for Dad’s Army below.
It is 1944 and World War II is reaching its climax. The Allies are poised to invade France and finally defeat the German army. But in Walmington-on-Sea, morale among the Home Guard is low. Their new mission then – to patrol the Dover army base – is a great chance to revive spirits and reputation, that is until glamorous journalist Rose Winters arrives to write about their exploits, setting the pulses racing and putting the local women on red alert. MI5 then discover a radio signal sent direct to Berlin from Walmington-on-Sea. There’s a spy on the loose! The outcome of the war is suddenly at stake, and it falls to our unlikely heroes to stand up and be counted.
