Monarch of the Glen is returning to TV after a 20-year gap, with a new female lead and a host of big-name stars. The beloved BBC drama, which originally aired from 2000 to 2005, will be rebooted on Channel 5 as a six-part series.
World on Fire's Julia Brown, 29, takes the lead role as Isla Campbell, a change from the original's male protagonist Archie, played by Alistair McKenzie. The cast also includes Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan, Gregory's Girl's John Gordon Sinclair, Grantchester's Rishi Nair, and Bridgerton's Chris Fulton.
New story and characters
In the new series, Isla is called home from her high-flying London job after her estranged father dies. She returns to her family's crumbling Highland estate for the funeral, expecting to leave in days. Instead, she discovers she has inherited a million-pound debt, a bank closing in, and her brother Alasdair, played by Fulton, refusing to let go of their ancestral home.
Phyllis Logan plays Isla's aunt Morag, taking on the matriarch role formerly played by Susan Hampshire as Molly. John Gordon Sinclair, 64, plays family lawyer Fergus, a role that combines elements of the original characters Hector (Richard Briers) and Lord Kilwillie (Julian Fellowes).
Cast and crew reactions
Phyllis told the Mirror she was thrilled to be involved in the new series, described as a "fresh re-imagining" of the original. "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," she said. "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."
Julia agreed: "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."
Production details
Further casting includes Ewan Miller as gamekeeper Ewan, previously played by Martin Compston, and Gordon Kennedy as stockman Angus. Filming is underway in Scotland, though the new location has not been revealed. The series is made by Ecosse Films, producers of the original, who promise a "rich, romantic and humorous family saga rooted in legacy, love and survival."
Series creator Jeremy Brock, writer of A Very Royal Scandal and The Last King of Scotland, said he "leapt" at the chance to reboot the show. "I'm hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world - one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity. Hope and joy are a currency in short supply right now, and the Highlands - one of the most magical places on Earth - felt like exactly the right home for them."
