Jessica Raine to star in new ITV drama Jericho

Clarke Peters and Hans Matheson also set to join the cast

Jessica Raine plays nurse Jenny Lee in BBC drama Call The Midwife (BBC)

ITV are trying their hardest to rake in those lost Sunday night viewers by hiring Call the Midwife star Jessica Raine to lead their newly commissioned drama Jericho.

Set in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1870’s, the eight part series will focus on Raine’s character Annie Quaintain who refuses to let the death of her penniless husband define who she is.

Having been kicked out of her home, Annie and her two children head to Jericho in hope of a better life.

Also joining the cast are Clarke Peters, best known for his role as Detective Lester Freamon in The Wire, and Hans Matheson from The Tudors.

Steve Thompson, of Sherlock and Doctor Who fame, created the series which will be directed by the BAFTA nominated Paul Whittington.

“Jericho focuses on the creation of a community from nothing and the human stories and epic struggles of survival that will emerge,” said Steve November, director of drama at ITV.

The drama will go into production later this month.

Executive Producer Kate Bartlett added: “We're delighted to be embarking on the production of Jericho, an epic character driven drama set in the visually striking landscape of a frontier community. We're also thrilled that we have a wonderful cast with Jessica Raine, Hans Matheson and Clarke Peters in the leading roles.”

ITV is currently suffering from numerous strikes, with shows such as Good Morning Britain being affected by the protest.