Starring Sue Johnson

The Royle Family’s Sue Johnston is to head the ensemble cast for a ‘big, heartwarming’ BBC One Christmas comedy.

The 90-minute one-off Lapland is about a large, close-knit but chaotic family from Birkenhead who save up for a big festive trip to Finland, to see Father Christmas complete with huskies, reindeers and maybe the Northern Lights.

Johnson plays the matriarch Eileen while the cast also includes Stephen Graham from This Is England, Elizabeth Berrington (Secrets And Lies), William Ash (Waterloo Road), Julie Graham (Survivors), Zawe Ashton (Fresh Meat) and Keith Barron (Benidorm).

It has been written by playwright Michael Wynne and will be made in-house by the BBC.

Producer Rosemary McGowan said: ‘Michael Wynne has skilfully brought to life one ordinary family's chaotic experience of Christmas in a way that will have people all over the country chuckling in recognition. It’s funny, warm but also moving.’

Sue Johnston added: ‘It's a hopeful, bittersweet comedy and I'm delighted to be a part of it.’

Published: 10 Oct 2011