Anna Friel will star in new TV drama Deep Water, based on the Windermere-set series of novels by Paula Daly, ITV has announced.
The Marcella actress will star opposite Sinead Keenan and Rosalind Eleazar in the six-part emotional thriller, which is set against the backdrop of the Lake District. It follows the lives of three complex women who are all struggling to do their best for their families, but all face tough choices.
The women connect by the school gates, each having children around the same age. Friel will play disorganised mother-of-three Lisa Kallisto, who juggles her hectic family life with running a business.
Penned by Indian Summer writer Anna Symon, the series aims to take a modern look at families, the pressure of busy lives, and an exploration of what it means to be a perfect mother.
Polly Hill, head of drama at ITV, said: "Anna has cleverly woven together two of Paula's brilliant novels, to create a wonderful modern and layered series.
"It's about three very different women on their own incredible and often shocking journeys, whose lives connect at the school gates.
"It's funny, sexy, truthful and often outrageous, and should have the audience asking what they would do to hold their own family together. I am delighted to be working with Kudos on this great new series for ITV."
Karen Wilson, chief creative officer for production company Kudos, added: "We are thrilled to be working with Anna and ITV on bringing these wonderful books to life, and telling stories about modern women in an interesting and beautiful part of rural Britain."
Filming for the series will begin in the Cumbrian countryside this week.
