In a world where everyone is striving for what is not worth having, orphan Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke) sets out to claw her way to the top of English society. Written by Gwyneth Hughes, Vanity Fair is a new adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 19th century literary classic. Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, Becky’s story of villainy, crime, merriment, lovemaking, jilting, laughing, cheating, fighting and dancing takes her all the way to the court of King George IV, via the Battle of Waterloo, breaking hearts and losing fortunes as she goes.‎

Olivia, who plays Becky Sharp, is joined by a star-studded cast including musician and actor Johnny Flynn (Genius) as Dobbin, Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) as Sir Pitt Crawley, Frances de la Tour (The History Boys) as Miss Matilda Crawley, Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster) as Miss Pinkerton and Michael Palin as Thackeray himself.

The ensemble cast also includes Claudia Jessie (Line of Duty) who plays Becky’s confidante Amelia Sedley, with theatrical titan Simon Russell Beale (The Hollow Crown) and Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) as her parents, and David Fynn (School of Rock) as her brother Jos. Tom Bateman (Murder On The Orient Express) takes the role of Rawdon Crawley and Charlie Rowe (Salvation) plays George Osborne.

Vanity Fair is produced by Julia Stannard (War & Peace, The Great Train Robbery, United) with James Strong (Liar, Broadchurch, United) directing the series.