Nixon to star in ITV1's 'Englishman'

Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon has joined the cast of ITV1's An Englishman in New York, a follow-up to the 1975 Quentin Crisp drama The Naked Civil Servant.

The actress, who played Miranda Hobbes in the hit US show, will take on the role of performance artist and playwright Penny Arcade, who became a close friend of Crisp in his later years.

American actor Jonathan Tucker has signed up to play young artist Patrick Angus in the programme. Brothers & Sisters star Denis O'Hare will appear as magazine editor Phillip Steele, while Pushing Daisies actress Swoosie Kurtz will play Connie Clausen, Crisp's American agent.

An Englishman in New York sees John Hurt reprise his role as gay icon Crisp after 33 years. The drama will pick up where The Naked Civil Servant left off and follow Crisp's adventures in the Big Apple.

"Choosing to shoot the film in New York was a risky decision as the drama industry works very differently in the US from the UK," executive producer James Burstall explained. "But the huge amount of strategic planning and the leap of faith are delivering a first rate calibre of cast.

"There is a real buzz about the project in Manhattan as Quentin was a much loved and notorious figure - everyone has an anecdote to tell about him. And we've been touched by the number of friends and admirers of his (some of whom he never knew) who have wanted to help with the project in myriad different ways."

Laura Mackie, Director of Drama at ITV, added: "We are delighted to be making another film about Quentin Crisp given The Naked Civil Servant was such a landmark film for ITV. It's a real thrill and honour to be bringing an actor of John Hurt's stature back to the channel to reprise such an iconic role."