Mirren teams up with husband for film

Dame Helen Mirren is to star in a film directed by her husband Taylor Hackford for the first time in more than 20 years.

The actress will appear in Love Ranch, about the owners of the first legal brothel in Nevada.

But Hackford told Variety that his wife had to be persuaded to take the role, saying: "I've developed this project for a long time, and one of the things that excited me most was the chance to work again with my wife.

"I had to beg; she's a very busy girl. We'd wanted to work together for some time, but she wouldn't agree unless it was a great role, and this is a great role."

Mirren married the Ray director ten years ago, but they have been in a relationship since working together on the 1985 film White Nights.

Love Ranch, which will also feature Joe Pesci as Mirren's onscreen husband, will begin filming in New Mexico in January.