Emma Thompson will star in a movie version of Brideshead Revisited, it was announced.

She will play Lady Marchmain, leader of the dysfunctional family at the centre of the period tale, while Michael Gambon will take the role of her estranged husband.

Ben Whishaw has been picked to play their son Sebastian Flyte and Hayley Atwell their daughter Julia.

The story, mainly set in pre World War II Britain, sees Sebastian mix with outsider Charles Ryder while at Oxford University - who then also becomes involved in the Marchmains' troubles. Ryder will be played by rising-star Matthew Goode.

Filming will take place at Castle Howard in Yorkshire, London, Venice and Morocco and is due to begin in June, with Julian Jarrold directing.