Salman Rushdie's wife Padma Lakshmi will star in a new episode of the popular Sharpe series.

Sharpe's Challenge, which is currently filming in India is the newest episode in a television series that was originally based on the books of Bernard Cornwell. It will be the character's first appearance for seven years.

Set in 1817, two years after the battle of Waterloo, the two-part mini-series sees Sharpe investigating a Maharaja who is threatening British interests. Lakshmi is set to play Madhuvanthi, a beautiful regent who tries to seduce Richard Sharpe.