Sir Ian McKellen cast as LS Lowry in new BBC documentary
Sir Ian McKellen is "delighted" to be portrayed L.S. Lowry in a new BBC documentary.
Sir Ian McKellen will play L.S. Lowry in a new BBC Arts documentary.
The 86-year-old actor is set to take on the "unique privilege" of portraying the iconic English artist in Arena documentary L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes, which marks 50 years since his death and will focus on the exchanges between the artist and young fan Angela Barrett.
The BBC explained: "Recorded in the artist’s own living room - his private sanctuary - the tapes reveal Lowry’s authentic voice, which Ian McKellen will lip-sync on screen.
"Across these candid conversations, Lowry traces his journey from childhood through to his final days, sharing the memories and experiences that shaped both the artist and the man.
"Alongside this deeply personal account, Arena: L.S Lowry: The Unheard Tapes also explores the dramatic transformation of Salford and Greater Manchester, the region Lowry depicted so prolifically and whose shifting industrial landscape profoundly influenced his work."
Sir Ian will appear opposite Annabel Smith (Angela), who has previously had roles in the likes of The Vanishing Room and Upstart Crow.
He said: "To give play to Lowry through his own voice has been a unique privilege.
"These tapes reveal an intimate insight into the artist’s thoughts - his ambitions, regrets and his humour.
"Anyone like me, who admires his paintings and drawings, will be intrigued and delighted that the artist is brought back to life through his own words.”
The Lowry Estate is "delighted" by the project - which is being made by Wall to Wall Media and will be released as an hour-long special - and they are glad the recordings will be "used in this way".
Richard Grossick said: "It is good fortune that these compelling recordings of interviews conducted by the young Angela Barratt have survived and are being used in this way.
"Wall to Wall have brought together a remarkable team of creatives to meticulously shape the programme, it has been a great pleasure collaborating with them.
"The involvement of Ian McKellen completes what might be considered a dream team.
"As an admirer and champion of the artist’s work it is hard to imagine any other actor better equipped to channel the rhythmical allure of Mr Lowry’s distinctive bygone Lancastrian tones.”
