Whately and Green in war drama

Kevin Whately and Robson Green are to star on screen together for the first time in a one-off film set in Newcastle at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Joe Maddison's War has been written by Alan Plater, whose credits span almost half a century and include Z Cars, The Beiderbecke Affair and, more recently, episodes of Lewis starring Kevin Whately.

The film, commissioned for ITV1, centres around shipyard worker Joe (Whately) who feels he is past his prime.

Too old to serve in the war, he is shocked when his wife leaves him for a younger naval officer.

Needing a new challenge, Joe and his friend Harry (Green) join the Home Guard, which sets Joe on a path to self-discovery.

Alan said: "My family background is strictly Tyneside - the earlier generations worked in and around the shipyards, my favourite uncle was in the Home Guard, and my head is still full of family anecdotes from the period."

He added: "Joe Maddison's War splices three elements: solid historical research, half-remembered family folklore and gossip and a lot of simple old-fashioned invention.

"Add them together and it's a love letter to a remarkable generation of ordinary folk - the good, the bad and the gorblimey - who proved their amazing ability to be extraordinary and heroic. I owe them everything."

Filming is due to begin next March in the North East.