Cary Grant Biopic “Archie” Set From ITV Studios, Jason Isaacs To Star

Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs has been cast as classic Hollywood star Cary Grant in a new biopic.

The four-part drama series, titled Archie, will tell the story of Grant’s life, from his humble beginnings as Archibald Alexander Leach in Bristol, UK, to the leading man he later became.

It was written by Philomena author John Pope and directed by Paul Andrew Williams (“A Confession”).

‘Archie’ will debut on ITV’s streaming platform ITV in the UK later this year before airing on ITV in the following months. International sales have not yet been announced.

The drama is produced by ITV Studios with co-production partner BritBox International. Rebecca Hodgson is slated to produce, while Grant’s daughter Jennifer Grant and ex-wife Dyan Cannon will produce.

“There was only one Cary Grant and I would never be foolish enough to try to follow in his iconic footsteps,” Isaacs said in a statement. “Archie Leach, on the other hand, couldn’t be further from the character he created to save himself. Jeff’s brilliant scripts bring to life his relentless struggle to escape the demons that plague him, his obsessive need for control, his fears, his weaknesses, his loved ones and his losses. It’s a man’s story, not a legend, and I can’t wait to walk in these shoes.”

Pope added, “As with many of my projects, I started at the end and worked backwards. I found out that at the height of his fame, Cary Grant retired to take care of his little daughter. Intrigued, I began to find out why he had become a single father. What’s happened? My journey took me to Bristol and a little boy named Archie Leach. Cary Grant became one of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century, loved by presidents and the poor alike. The key to everything lay in his childhood.”