Filming has begun in Morocco on a new one-of BBC One drama from Tony Jordan based on the biblical story of Noah.
The Ark stars David Threlfall as Noah, a farmer who faces ridicule after claiming an angel has instructed him to build an ark in the middle of a desert to save the faithful from a devastating flood.
Produced by Red Planet Pictures, makers of Death in Paradise, it also stars Joanne Whalley as wife Emmie and The Village and former Upstairs Downstairs actor Nico Mirallegro.
Other cast members include Ashley Walters (Top Boy, Truckers), Emily Bevan (In The Flesh), Hannah John-Kamen (The Hour, Death in Paradise), Georgina Campbell (One Night), Ian Smith (The Syndicate), Michael Fox (New Worlds) and Andrew Hawley (Hinterland, Borgia).
Commenting on his role, Threlfall said: “The story jumped off the page at me from the first reading. It’s not just a family saga but the first family saga. It takes its inspiration from many faiths and speaks of values which should be shared across all cultures. It was something I immediately wanted to be part of.”
Belinda Campbell, Executive Producer for Red Planet Pictures said: “The Ark is a timeless tale which will touch those who are both familiar with the story from the Bible, as well as those who are seeing it for the first time.
“Warm and humorous, it tells the tale of the impact on a family when an ordinary man undertakes to do an extraordinary thing.”