Dad's Army: BBC to show drama about the tortuous process of making much-loved sitcom

Hour-long film will explore working partnership between the show's writers

A parade taking place on the set of the new Dad's Army film in Bridlington (PA)

BBC2 is to show a drama based on the tortuous process of making one of Britain's most popular and enduring comedies, Dad's Army.

The hour-long film - itself billed as a comedy - will explore the working partnership between the show's writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

It will also focus on the long process that led to the casting of characters such as Captain Mainwaring (played in the new drama by John Sessions as Arthur Lowe) and Sergeant Wilson (Julian Sands as John Le Mesurier).

Perry first had the idea for the series in 1967 and the first episode was screened the following year. But in between, a series of "casting woes, personal clashes and production difficulties put the show's very existence in jeopardy", the BBC revealed. The broadcaster also admitting that the show was initially met with "scepticism" by BBC executives.

Making Dad's Army also stars Shane Ritchie as Bill Pertwee, who played ARP Warden Hodges in the original comedy. Paul Ritter, who appeared in the Bond film Quantum of Solace, takes the part of Jimmy Perry, and Richard Dormer plays the role of David Croft.

The drama is being directed by Steve Bendelack, one of the creators of The League of Gentlemen.