ITV viewers are getting ready to watch the latest drama surrounding the scandal of a disgraced Labour MP who faked his own death.
The upcoming three-parter, written by John Preston, explores John Stonehouse’s marriage to Barbara Smith, his affair with assistant Sheila Buckley and even an alleged period of spying for the Czech secret service.
The politician was a key member of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s Government but his world turned upside down when he was suspected of espionage.
He later applied for a passport in the dead man’s name and began to weave a complex conspiracy, seeking a new life in Australia.
John died in 1988 after suffering a heart attack.
But who stars in the ITV drama, here’s everything you need to know.
Matthew Macfadyen as John Stonehouse
The series airs tonight at 9pm (Picture: ITV)
John is played by Succession and Pride and Prejudice actor Matthew Macfadyen.
Some of his other roles include Quiz, Anna Karenina, Operation Mincemeat, The Assistant and Ripper Street.
Reflecting on the role, Macfadyen said that what happened was ‘the stuff of legends’ and he had always ‘been intrigued by what motivated him to fake his own death, and leave behind the family he loved and doted upon and a promising political career’.
Keeley Hawes as Barbara Stonehouse
Keeley and Matthew are married in real life (Picture: ITV)
John’s wife Barbara is played by Keeley Hawes who has starred in popular dramas like Line of Duty, The Bodyguard, Finding Alice, Crossfire and The Durrells.
Fans might not be aware that she is actually married to her on-screen husband in real life, having met Macfadyen on the set of Spooks in 2002.
Barbara Stonehouse is John’s wife who he was married to for 30 years and shared three children, however the couple divorced after she learned about the politician’s affair.
Emer Heatley as Sheila Buckley
Emer portrays John’s mistress Sheila Buckley (Picture: ITV)
Emer Heatley is a new star to grace the screen after starring as PC Cutts in the BBC drama Showtrial.
Sheila is John’s assistant, who works closely with him during his days as a sitting MP It isn’t long before the two of them start having an affair, which is exposed to the public following John’s arrest.
Other stars involved in the drama include Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean ) who plays former Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
Actress Dorothy Atkinson (Pistol) plays sitting MP Betty Boothroyd who served under Harold Wilson during his service as Prime Minister.
Stonehouse airs on Monday January 2 at 9pm on ITV1.