She’s been a call girl and Doctor Who’s sidekick and her next project for the small screen will see her take on a character from “some of literature’s most famously terrifying characters” in Penny Dreadful. The Sam Mendes’ produced and John Logan penned psychological thriller is set in Victorian London and has already signed up Josh Hartnett as Ethan Chandler, an American stuck in London, and Eva Green who attempts to seduce him.
Piper, who previous to her acting career had a brief flirtation with musical stardom, has barely been off our screens since she became Doctor Who’s first companion for the series reboot in 2005. She played Rose Tyler for two series and reprised her role several times over the next few years including in the up-coming 50th anniversary episode of the show. She also joined the TV adaptation of the diaries of anonymous sex worker Belle De Jour as the high-class call girl in Secret Diary of a Call Girl in 2007 which ran for four years. Since the show came to an end Piper has been concentrating on her stage career including lead roles in ‘reasons to be pretty’ and ‘The Effect’.
Screenwriter John Logan has previously written the screenplays for ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, GLADIATOR, THE AVIATOR and SKYFALL and is also penning the next two James Bond movies so expect a dramatic high-tempo script to accompany the show. Speaking on the project Logan said:
‘I’m thrilled to be bringing Penny Dreadful to life here in the UK, where the show is set and was conceived over many years of wandering the streets of London. I think the talent we are bringing together for the show promises to create something memorable.’
Penny Dreadful‘s cast also includes Rory Kinnear (SKYFALL), Harry Treadaway (CONTROL), Reeve Carney (Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark) and Timothy Dalton (LICENCE TO KILL). It is expected to shoot in London next year and will air on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Showtime in the US later next year.
Source: The Stage
