'Dream role' for Ray Winstone

RAY Winstone is to star in a BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, the corporation has announced.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th May 2011, 15:46 BST

Updated 31st May 2011, 00:42 BST

The three-part drama will be shown at Christmas.

Sarah Phelps' adaptation of the classic novel will form the centrepiece of the BBC's celebration of the author as it marks the bicentenary of his birth in 2012.

In his first BBC television appearance in five years, Winstone will star as Magwitch alongside Douglas Booth, who is to play Pip.

Filming will begin in July in London.

Winstone said: "Great Expectations is my favourite novel, and I'm thrilled to be playing Magwitch. I've wanted to play him for ages, and I can't wait to get stuck in."