Casting for the revamped series of the iconic Scottish drama Monarch of the Glen has been announced by Channel 5. The original show, produced by Ecosse Films, ran for seven seasons on BBC Scotland from 2000 to 2005 with Scots stars Hamish Clark, Alastair Mackenzie and Dawn Steele in leading roles.
New generation of characters
The programme, created, written and executive produced by Jeremy Brock, is expected to return to the Scottish Highlands in 2027 with a new generation of characters. Scots star Julia Brown, 29, will portray high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell, who returns to her family's crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father's funeral, expecting to be back home in days. Instead, she discovers she has inherited a million-pound debt, a bank closing in, and a brother, Alasdair, played by Outlander star Chris Fulton, 37, who is refusing to let go of their ancestral home.
Under the same roof for the first time in years, the siblings must find a way to save the struggling estate before time runs out and they lose it for good. Other cast members include Ewan Miller as gamekeeper and the family's friend, and Rishi Nair as businessman Daniel.
Star-studded cast
Meanwhile, Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan stars as Morgan, Gregory's Girl actor John Gordon Sinclair plays family lawyer Fergus, and Gordon Kennedy takes on the role of stockman Angus. Monarch of the Glen promises viewers heart, humour and romance, bound together by breathtaking landscapes, roaring hearths, and the people who call the Scottish Highlands home.
Julia Brown said: "I'm so excited to be stepping into the world of Monarch of the Glen and bringing Isla Campbell to life. Isla is ambitious, sharp and fiercely independent, but returning home to Scotland forces her to confront her past, her family and a future she never expected. I am so, so proud to be joining such a talented cast and cannot wait to bring this heartfelt story to audiences."
Phyllis Logan added: "Monarch of the Glen holds such a special place in people's hearts, so it's a real privilege to be part of its return. The scripts are full of wit, warmth and wonderful characters, and I'm delighted to be working alongside this brilliant cast and crew. It will be great fun to welcome audiences back to Scotland."
Monarch of the Glen is expected to air on Channel 5 and MASTERPIECE PBS in 2027, although an official date is yet to be announced.
