Famous faces from TV are set to bring to life the work of multi million book-selling crime writer Peter James in Dartford.

Following the world premiere of The Perfect Murder starring Les Dennis last year, The Orchard Theatre will again be the first theatre in the world to stage a Peter James adaptation.

Dead Simple, one of James’ Detective Roy Grace novels, will be directed by Olivier Award winner Ian Talbot.

The all-star cast is led by Holby City’s Tina Hobley, EastEnders and Hollyoaks’ Jamie omas and Coronation Street’s Gray O’Brien as Grace.

Emmerdale and Torchwood’s Rick Makarem and Michael McKell (Emmerdale, Doctors) finish off the star casting.

Peter James said: ““As a writer, all my characters begin in my mind.

“I flesh them out for the printed page. But nothing can compare to the joy of seeing them turn into real flesh and blood.

“We were blessed with both casts of The Perfect Murder and we are just as blessed now with the cast for Dead Simple.

“All of them are actors I really admire and respect, and to see them come together, for the first time, at the read-through of the play was a truly magical experience for me.”

Dead Simple is at the Orchard Theatre from January 14 to 17. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.