UKTV has cast Kevin R. McNally, Robert Bathurst and Bernard Cribbins in its remake of Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes.
McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean, Designated Survivor) will be heading up the platoon as Captain Mainwaring, with Bathurst (Cold Feet, Toast of London) following suit as Sergeant Wilson and Cribbins (Doctor Who) stepping into the role of mild-mannered Private Godfrey.
The trio will star alongside Kevin Eldon, Mathew Horne, David Hayman and Tom Rosenthal in the episodes which will air on the broadcaster’s comedy channel, Gold.
The three episodes being recreated for Gold are from the original second series and titled The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Walker, A Stripe for Frazer and Under Fire.
The remakes will use the original scripts, which were written for the second series of Dad’s Army by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.
McNally said: “Now look here men, HQ tells me that three episodes of Dad’s Army have gone missing.
“And it has fallen to us to step in and replace them. I have been asked to double for Captain Mainwaring and daunting as that may be, I accept the responsibility and look forward to leading the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard in three last pushes against the Jerries.
“I hope you’ll join us and enjoy the ride.”
Robert Bathurst said: “I’ve played soldiers before, but find I handle guns with all the bloodcurdling authority of Sergeant Wilson.
“I’m looking forward to playing him. I hope we can honour Croft and Perry’s lost episodes. It’s a celebration of their writing, with understudies.”
Bernard Cribbins said: “What a way to start the New Year. Back in khaki again – just like I was in 1947.”
Eldon (Murder on the Blackpool Express, Damned) will try not to panic as Lance Corporal Jones, whilst Horne (Gavin & Stacey, Bad Education) reports for duty as Private Walker, Hayman (Taboo, The Paradise) as Private Frazer and Rosenthal (Friday Night Dinner, Plebs) as Pike.
Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes will air on Gold later this year to celebrate fifty years since the episodes were first broadcast.
