Casting News for Television Adaptation of Ian Rankin's Doors Open

ITV has announced that Stephen Fry and Dougie Henshall have joined the cast of Doors Open, a two-hour made-for-television adaptation of the 2008 stand-alone heist novel by Ian Rankin.

"Doors Open is full of excitement with many twists and turns and it is as much of a love story as an art heist," said Laura Mackie, Director of Drama at ITV. "We have an A list cast lined up to bring Ian Rankin's great characters to life."

The storyline follows three friends, who descend upon an art auction in search of some excitement. Mike Mackenzie (Dougie Henshall) — retired software mogul, bachelor and fine art enthusiast — wants something that money can't buy. Fellow art-lover Allan Cruickshank is bored with his banking career and burdened by a painful divorce. And Robert Gissing (Stephen Fry), an art professor, is frustrated that so many paintings stay hidden in corporate boardrooms, safes and private apartments. After the auction — and a chance encounter with crime boss Chib Calloway — Robert and Allan suggest the "liberation" of several paintings from the National Gallery, hoping Mike will dissuade them. Instead, he hopes they are serious.

Filming begins later this month on location in Edinburgh.

(Source: Press release.)