• e-mail

If you're looking for a gripping new TV series with a superstar cast and a hefty dose of drama, an upcoming BBC 2 show could be just the ticket.

TV aficionados are going wild on Twitter for the upcoming TV adaptation of E.M. Forster's 1910 novel, Howards End.

The dark TV drama explores the changing landscape of social and class divisions in turn of the century England through the tales of three families: the intellectual and idealistic Schlegels, the wealthy Wilcoxes from the world of business, and the working class Basts.  

Whilst the air date hasn't yet been revealed, it brings together an impressive array of fledgling - and very glamorous - stars and is even being dubbed the new Downton Abbey.

Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson starred in the 1992 film adaptation of the novel, which was a roaring success. So who is in 2017's line-up?

PHILIPPA COULTHARD AS HELEN SCHLEGEL 

Philippa Coulthard, 24, will play Helen, the youngest of the idealistic Schlegel sisters, in the four-part adaption of Forster’s 1910 novel

TV critics are saying that this show will be the making of her career. The actress is fairly under the radar at the moment but this turn is sure to see her star rise

Australian actress Philippa Coulthard, 24, from Brisbane, will play Helen, the youngest of the idealistic Schlegel sisters, in the four-part adaption of Forster’s 1910 novel.

The role is being tipped as her breakthrough and fans are complimenting her model good looks.

Coulthard, who began acting at the age of four, has appeared in Aussie-made programme Lightning Point and a distant Doctor Who spin-off called K9.

TV critics are saying that this show will be the making of her career, especially considering Helena Bonham Carter played the same role in the 1992.

Fans are complimenting the Australian actresses' model good looks

Coulthard has appeared in Aussie-made programme Lightning Point and a distant Doctor Who spin-off called K9

HAYLEY ATWELL AS MARGARET SCHLEGEL

Hayley Atwell has signed on for the part of Margaret Schlegel, Helen’s more level-headed older sister. 

Hayley, 34, from London, is now one of Britain’s hottest actresses.

She has already achieved huge Hollywood success with roles in The Duchess alongside Keira Knightley as Ralph Fiennes’s lover, as well as a star of the Captain America franchise. 

Hayley Atwell has signed on for the part of Margaret Schlegel

The brunette played agent Peggy Carter in the 2011 American superhero film Captain America: The First Avenger, and went on to star in more of the film's later.

Following that role, she was named by MTV as a breakout star to watch out for and has since gone on to score invites to the hottest Hollywood events.

She has been established in television for nearly a decade, since she first appeared in the acclaimed adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line Of Beauty, which she followed up by stealing the show in the epic Any Human Heart.

Hayley Atwell starred as Hayes Morrison in Conviction and already a fairly big name in Hollywood

Hayley, at the Lancome Loves Alma Pre-BAFTA party in 2015, played the role of Agent Peggy Carter in the 2011 American superhero film Captain America: The First Avenger

MATTHEW MACFADYEN AS HENRY WILCOX 

A-lister Matthew Macfadyen will portray Henry Wilcox in the adaptation.

The 42-year-old heartthrob, from Norflok, is a BAFTA award-winner most famous for his turn as Tom Quinn in BBC's Spooks.

He also famously played Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice in 2005, and Daniel in the Frank Oz comedy Death at a Funeral. 

A-lister Matthew Macfadyen will portray Henry Wilcox in the adaptation

Other standout roles include his turn as John Birt in Frost/Nixon and Detective Inspector Edmund Reid in the BBC series Ripper Street.

The star is currently married to fellow actress and Spooks co-star Keeley Hawes.

The star was married at the time but Matthew famously wooed her and they wed in 2004 and now have two children together. 

One of Matthew's standout roles was as Edmund Reid in Ripper Street

TRACEY ULLMAN AS AUNT JULEY MUND 

Tracey Ullman, 57, from London, will play Aunt Juley Mund - and as the richest female comedian in Britain, is likely to bring some flair to the show.

Tracey, who has won multiple awards, has a fairly extensive showbiz career, having worked as an actress, comedian, singer and dancer, as well as a screenwriter, producer, director, author, and businesswoman. 

Tracey Ullman, 57, from London, will play Aunt Juley Mund in the upcoming show

Her oldest fans may remember her from A Kick Up the Eighties and Three of a Kind, alongside Lenny Henry and David Copperfield. 

Other major roles include a stint as Candice Valentine in Girls on Top with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders and, of course, her own sketch show, The Tracey Ullman Show.

The funny woman was, in fact, the first ever British woman to be offered her own TV sketch show in the UK and US.  

Tracey, pictured in her own sketch show as Steph the model agent, was the first ever British woman to be offered her own TV sketch show in the UK and US

Helena Bonham Carter played Helen Schlegel in the 1992 adaptation of Howards End

Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson were also stars of the award-winning film