Dame Eileen Atkins for ITV's Daphne du Maurier film 'Scapegoat'

Dame Eileen Atkins has signed up for one-off feature film The Scapegoat which will be aired on ITV1.

The 77-year-old actress will star alongside Matthew Rhys in the adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's novel.

Atkins left her role as Lady Holland on Upstairs Downstairs in August after one series, allegedly due to issues with the BBC drama's script.

Meanwhile, Rhys is best known for playing Kevin Walker in the US series Brothers and Sisters.

ITV's head of drama Laura Mackie said: "We're delighted to be bringing The Scapegoat to ITV1. It's a terrific, suspenseful script featuring characters with sinister motivations and dark secrets.

"We've wanted to adapt a Daphne du Maurier novel for some time and we're thrilled we now have this opportunity with The Scapegoat."

Directed and adapted by Charles Sturridge, the film will be produced by Sarah Beardsall and Island Pictures.

With filming commencing in November, The Scapegoat will also be released cinematically following its TV broadcast.

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