J.K. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy Casting update

The Fault in Our Stars has opened with the expected rush of YA fandom love. And while I want to see it part of me always backtracks away from opening week frenzy, I'm a bit over all the emotional thrashing. We'll see how I feel about 'all the feels' when I see it. 

Now for the grown ups - the HBO/BBC adaptation of J.K. Rowling's outed The Casual Vacancy is set to start filming in the south west of England in July. The story centers on the postcard-pretty village of Pagford and what happens when Barry Fairbrother collapses on the golf course leaving a sudden vacancy in the town's representation. Behind the pretty façade, the town's citizens are busily making plans and taking sides, young against old, poor against the rich; it's a complex and comic look at modern life, who we are in the social structure and where we sit in the world around us. 

Harry Potter star Michael Gambon will headline the cast as Howard Mollison, owner of the local deli, with Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, Penny Dreadful) playing Fairbrother. Kinnear was a standout in Broken, winning a BAFTA for playing the role of the maniacal  neighbor. 

Also starring in the three-parter are Julia McKenzie (Notes On A Scandal) as Howard’s wife, Shirley and Rufus Jones as Howard’s son, Miles. Keeley Hawes (Line Of Duty) plays Miles' wife Samantha.The cast includes Monica Dolan (Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa) and Simon McBurney (Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy) as Tess and Colin Wall, teachers at the local school, Colin decides to run to take his friend's place. The mini series will be directed by strong British television director Jonny Campbell from a script by Sarah Phelps. Phelps is a brilliant playwright whose credits include East Enders, Great Expectations and the upcoming And Then There Were None, a just announced adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic. Also cast in the project are Keeley Forsyth (Coronation Street) as Terri Weedon; newcomer Abigail Lawrie as Terri’s daughter, Krystal Weedon; Richard Glover (A Field In England) as Simon Price; Marie Critchley (In The Flesh) as Simon’s wife, Ruth Price; and Michelle Austin (Secrets & Lies). No word on who will play widow Fairbrother's widow, Mary.