A star-studded cast has been revealed for a new TV drama being filmed in a seaside Kent town.

The announcement for the new six-part BBC drama, The Dream Lands, a hotly anticipated crime and romance series, comes as filming got underway this week.

It is based on a book by Ramsgate author Rosa Rankin-Gee’s novel Dreamland and is set in Margate in 2039 where temperatures are soaring, seas are rising and there is a menacing political climate.

Filming started in the Thanet town this week - one of two locations being used for the show, the other being Bristol.

Casting has also been announced for the show which features several household names.

Anna Friel - known for her roles in Pushing Daisies, Brookside and Goal! - is the most high-profile star to feature.

She is joined by the likes of Doc Martin's Katherine Parkinson and Sex Education and SAS: Rogue Heroes actor, Connor Swindells.

Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother, Black Mirror) and Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton, Dune: Part One) will also play characters.

The series, which will see protagonist and teenager Chance, played by September Says actress Pascale Kann, has been written by BAFTA award-winning Kayleigh Llewellyn.

The show follows the story of Chance, who discovers life and love while being forced to fight for her family’s survival in an inequality-themed world crumbling around her.

Ms Llewellyn, who also worked on Killing Eve, told the BBC: “I’m completely awed by this stellar ensemble, all brought together under the expert eye of our casting director Rachel Sheridan.

"We feel incredibly lucky to be working with a cast that blends new young talent, who I believe are the stars of tomorrow, and acclaimed actors, who will be delving into areas we’ve never seen them explore before.

"I’m thrilled to see this world being brought to life by such a phenomenal cast and our visionary directors Erika Calmeyer and Myriam Raja.”

Ms Sheridan, who cast the hit Netflix series One Day, previously told KentOnline: “It's set in Margate and it's all about community.

“We wanted to make sure that during casting we give people local to Margate and the surrounding areas the opportunity to potentially be a part of the show, specifically focusing in on young people.”

Landmarks such as Dreamland will likely feature in the show, which has yet to be given a release date, but will look “a little different”.

Margate has been a popular spot for filming in recent years.

The EastEnders cast filmed multiple episodes in the town in 2022.

Meanwhile, Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light starring Olivia Colman turned Dreamland into a cinema and took over the coast during the same year.