Vincent Kartheiser

Nick Frost, Vincent Kartheiser, Emma Pierson and Jerry Hall to star in BBC adaptation of Martin Amis’ cult novel Money

Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Sean Of The Dead, Spaced), Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men, Angel), Emma Pierson (Little Dorrit, Hotel Babylon) and Jerry Hall (Calendar Girls, Popetown) have been announced to star in Money, a BBC Drama Production two-part adaptation of Martin Amis’ darkly comedic tale of excess, greed and flawed ambition set at the beginnings of Eighties capitalism.

Bold, irreverent and satirical, Money follows the story of John Self (Nick Frost), a successful British director of commercials who is thrust into the world of New York movie deals, shark agents and impossibly petulant actors in order to shoot his first film.

Navigating larger-than-life characters including uber-slick film producer Fielding Goodney (Kartheiser), wooden soap actress Caduta Massi (Jerry Hall), clean-living method actor Spunk Davis and ageing Hollywood hard-man Lorne Guyland (casting to be announced), Self lurches from one crisis to the next as he chases his dream – and the money.

Juggling his girlfriend Selina (Emma Pierson) with an old film-school crush and movie stars, Self relies on his wits and luck to survive an increasingly degenerate lifestyle – but a mysterious danger lurks that Self can’t seem to shake, and it might just threaten the dream...

Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials, says: "Although set in the Eighties, Money is an incredibly timely drama, satirising the pitfalls of the dedicated pursuit of wealth in a brilliantly dark and comic way.

"We’re delighted to be adapting a novel from one of the greatest living authors of our time, and to have such a fantastic cast to bring it to life."

Money is a two x 60-minute drama written by Tom Butterworth and Chris Hurford (Ashes To Ashes) and directed by Jeremy Lovering (Miss Austen Regrets, Spooks).

Ruth Caleb (The Last Days Of Lehman Brothers, A Short Stay In Switzerland) is executive producer with Ben Evans (Desperate Romantics, Consuming Passion) producing.

Money was commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two, and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning.

Filming will begin mid-November for one month.

Money is part of a BBC Two series of programming focusing on the Eighties which also includes Abi Morgan’s drama special Royal Wedding, Grumpy Old Eighties and a special Eighties edition of Top Of The Pops 2.