BritBox gives first look at Jason Isaacs as Cary Grant in Biopic ‘Archie’

Check out this first look at Jason Isaacs as movie icon Cary Grant in the upcoming biopic “Archie,” coming to BritBox. The four-part drama about the life of Hollywood’s leading man will premiere in December.

 Written by award-winning screenwriter, Jeff Pope, and produced by Etta Pictures, Pope’s ITV Studios label, BritBox International is the co-production partner on the series

The series is directed by BAFTA-winning Paul Andrew Williams, who also serves as an Executive Producer, and produced by BAFTA-winning Rebecca Hodgson. Cary Grant’s daughter, Jennifer Grant, and ex-wife Dyan Cannon, the pair serve as Executive Producers.

The images reveal Jason Isaacs for the first time channelling Cary Grant, as the suave figure with the elegance and style associated with one of the greatest Hollywood icons.

Born in England, the ever-debonair Cary Grant was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men of the mid-20th century, having appeared in such classics as “The Philadelphia Story,” “Bringing Up Baby,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and “North by Northwest.” He co-starred opposite many of the storied female actors of the era, including Sophia Loren, Eva Marie Saint, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Fontaine, Audrey Hepburn, and Doris Day. Grant received two Oscar nominations for Best Actor, for “Penny Serenade” (1941) and “None But the Lonely Heart” (1944), and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1970.

Caption: ITV STUDIOS FOR ITVX ARCHIE Pictured: JASON ISAACS as Cary Grant. (All Photos)

At 14 he auditioned for the music hall act, the Bob Pender Troupe, a band of acrobats, stilt walkers, clowns and comedians after seeing them perform at the Bristol Hippodrome. Lean and athletic, he learned the art of stilt walking, and when the troupe went on tour to the US, teenage Archie was intoxicated by the land of opportunity. Believing he had no family to return to in the UK, he decided to stay in the US to try to make his way in show business.

The series also stars Laura Aikman (Not Going Out, Gavin and Stacey) as Cary’s formidable ex-wife, actress and filmmaker Dyan Cannon, with Harriet Walter (Succession, Ted Lasso, Killing Eve) as Elsie Leach, Cary’s mother.

Dainton Anderson (Patrick Melrose), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton) and Oaklee Pendergast (Home) play young versions of Archie Leach, and Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge, The Halcyon, Sound of Music Live) plays young Elsie.

Cary Grant’s daughter, Jennifer Grant, and ex-wife Dyan Cannon, the pair serve as Executive Producers. Jeff Pope executive produces the series for Etta Pictures with Diederick Santer for BritBox International. The series will air in November on ITV in the UK, and in December on BritBox in all its territories: North America, Australia, South Africa and the Nordics.