TV
Richie, who is taking a year off from playing Alfie Moon in the soap, is potentially taking the role of detective Abberline in the Victorian period drama.
Filming of the big-budget programme would begin in 2006. The series will have eight episodes and costing over £1 million per show will be the BBC's most expensive in 10 years, reports The Sun.
A source at the BBC told the newspaper: "Shane is in talks to play Fred Abberline. It’s one of a number of projects we are talking to Shane about.
"It would be filmed during the year we expect him to take off. Until then he’s an important part of EastEnders as Alfie Moon."
Richie is set to voice a rat in Flushed Away alongside Kate Winslet and John Cleese.
More: TV
Tube Talk
'Freaks and Geeks': Tube Talk GoldTube Talk Gold heads back to the '80s and remembers Freaks and Geeks.
TV Interviews
'Celebrity Apprentice' Donald Trump Q&ADonald Trump teases the new season of Celebrity Apprentice.
Reality Bites
Does Simon Cowell have new SuBo?: VideoWatch a clip of Jonathan Antoine, who is tipped for success on BGT.
TV Ratings
Judi Dench draws 4.1m on 'Graham Norton'ITV1 pips BBC One to the highest primetime audience share.
