Emma Thompson cast in Russell T Davies' BBC One drama Years and Years

Emma Thompson joins Jessica Hynes, Rory Kinnear, Ruth Madeley, T'Nia Miller, Anne Reid and Russell Tovey as production for Years And Years begins in Manchester.

Red Production Company (a StudioCanal company) and acclaimed writer Russell T Davies are delighted to announce the dynamic cast for new BBC One drama Years And Years, a unique and ambitious six-part limited series charting one family surviving the future.

As Britain is rocked by unstable political, economic and technological advances, we follow the Lyons family as their complex lives converge on one crucial night in 2019. Then, over the next 15 years, the twists and turns of everyday life are explored as we find out if this ordinary family could ever change the world.

Two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson (The Children Act, Late Night) stars in the family saga as Vivienne Rook, an outspoken celebrity turned political figure whose controversial opinions divide the nation. She's a new breed of politician, an entertainer, a rebel, a trickster, and her rise to power leads us into an unknown future.

Bafta-nominated Rory Kinnear (Spectre, Peterloo) joins Emma as Stephen Lyons, a financial advisor and the family's peacekeeper who is married to Celeste played by T'Nia Miller, (Obey, Marcella), an ambitious and opinionated accountant.

Russell Tovey (The History Boys, Quantico) will play Daniel Lyons, a hard-working housing officer and Stephen's brother. Their sister Edith, played by Jessica Hynes (Paddington 2, W1A), is radical, dangerous and calculating with a secret life. And completing the siblings is heavily pregnant Rosie, played by Ruth Madeley, (Cold Feet, Don't Take My Baby). Anne Reid (Last Tango In Halifax, The Mother) presides over the family as Muriel, imperial grandmother to the Lyons.

Russell T Davies says: "This is a dream cast, put together by Andy Pryor, the man who found Jodie Whittaker to be Doctor Who. I'm very lucky, and very excited to start filming."

The drama marks the ninth collaboration for acclaimed screenwriter Russell T Davies (A Very English Scandal, Doctor Who) and Red's Nicola Shindler, whose working relationship spans over 20 years. The partnership is known for producing relevant and timely emotionally charged dramas having previously created hit series including Queer As Folk, Casanova, Cucumber, Banana, Bob & Rose and The Second Coming.

Nicola Shindler CEO StudioCanal UK, Executive producer for Red Production Company, says: "No other writer could have written such an original, important and entertaining state-of-the-nation drama, with a family at its centre that an audience will want to spend time with. I'm thrilled a cast of this calibre will bring them to life."

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama adds: "Russell T Davies is a master storyteller and we are utterly thrilled with this truly magnificent cast who are set to bring this unique and captivating family drama to life on BBC One."

Casey Bloys, President HBO programming, says: "HBO is thrilled to once again partner with the BBC and to be joining Red Production Company in showcasing the stellar work of Russell T Davies and Emma Thompson with this sweeping family saga which captures the spirit of our time."

Jean-Marc Juramie, Senior EVP, Pay TV Content of CANAL+ Group adds: "Canal+ is very excited to pre-buy this unique series for our line-up of foreign drama. This epic saga reuniting the acclaimed creator Russell T Davies and an A-list UK cast will appeal to our subscribers. CANAL+ is delighted to continue its ongoing and fruitful partnership with StudioCanal's Red Production Company."

Years And Years is a Red Production Company production, in co-production with BBC One, HBO and Canal+, commissioned for BBC One by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content.

The 6x60-minute drama is created, written and executive produced by Russell T Davies, with Nicola Shindler and Michaela Fereday as executive producers for Red Production Company and Lucy Richer for the BBC. Series producer is Karen Lewis (Happy Valley, Last Tango In Halifax) and production commences this week in Manchester with Simon Cellan Jones (Our Friends In The North, Jessica Jones, Boardwalk Empire) as director and executive producer.

International Distribution will be handled by StudioCanal.