Jack O'Connell to play Alexander McQueen in new biopic

The British actor will take on the role of the late fashion designer

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British actor Jack O'Connell has been cast as Alexander McQueen in a new biopic about the late fashion designer.

Filmmaker Andrew Haigh, the man behind acclaimed films Weekend and 45 Years, is in line to direct the film.

The script, Variety reports, has been written by playwright Chris Urch whose most recent work, The Rolling Stone, enjoyed a run in London's West End earlier this year.

O'Connell's break came with E4 series Skins, following which he's starred in films including Starred Up, '71 and Angelina Jolie's directorial effort Unbroken. His upcoming credits include war thriller HHhH and romantic drama Tulip Fever.

McQueen began his influential career as an apprentice working on London's Savile Row before going on to achieve such feats as becoming head of French luxury brand Givenchy and tailoring David Bowie on his tours in the Nineties. He tragically committed suicide in 2010.

The biopic will come from producer Damian Jones who oversees upcoming adaptation A Street Cat Named Bob starring Luke Treadaway and Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt).