James Norton has signed on to the lead the cast of a new thriller from the creators of the BBC drama, The Salisbury Poisonings.

Chasing Agent Freegard is based on the true story of con man Robert Hendy-Freegard, who masqueraded as an MI5 agent and manipulated and threatened multiple people into going underground for fear of assassination.

Norton will star in the title role, with filming expected to take place next year.

Speaking about the project Norton said, “We are so excited to be working with Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn. Their incredible show The Salisbury Poisonings was both gripping as well as deeply human, and showed their unique skill for dramatising true stories.”