Juliet Stevenson and Peter Capaldi join cast of Jimmy McGovern drama

Juliet Stevenson and Peter Capaldi are joining the cast of Jimmy McGovern's new BBC1 drama Accused. The six-part drama will follow each lead character as the audience learns how the background of someone who has been accused of a crime and asks if they are innocent or guilty. Andy Serkis has also signed up to the all-star cast. In an episode called Helen's Story, Stevenson stars as a mother fighting for justice for her only son, Rob. Capaldi appears as Rob's father Frank. Serkis plays a cab driver called Liam who tries to escape from his boring life in another episode called Liam's Story. It was announced last month that Christopher Eccleston and Mackenzie Crook would be taking lead roles in the series. Filming has already started in Manchester and will continue until August. Accused is being made by RSJ Films, the independent producer McGovern co-founded with Sita Williams and Roxy Spencer. Williams – who is producing Accused – and Spencer were part of the creative team behind The Street, which was made by ITV Productions for BBC1 but ended last year because of cuts at ITV's Manchester operation. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".