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Even in this day and age, it is rare to find an epic TV saga that is spearheaded by two young actresses. So what a delight to welcome Labyrinth, Channel 4's titanic new drama that boasts two great female leads.

Adapted from the bestseller by Kate Mosse and executive produced by Ridley Scot, this grand–scale story spans 800 years. In the present day, Alice Tanner (played by Vanessa Kirby from The Hour) is a feisty young teacher who is helping out a friend during the holidays on an archaeological dig in the south west of France. Her world is turned upside down when, in a cave, she unearths two skeletons and a mysterious ring decorated with the patern of a labyrinth.

Fainting in the cave, Alice has a vision of meeting Alaïs ( Jessica Brown Findlay from Downton Abbey), an equally feisty young woman from the Carcassonne of 1209. Alice immediately senses a bond with this enigmatic fgure from the past. An intriguing story unfolds as both women – separated by eight centuries – embark on dangerous quests to find the Holy Grail.

Twenty three–year–old Jessica, who grabbed headlines last year when her Downton Abbey character, Lady Sybil, died during childbirth, says she was instantly taken by this tale.

"It's a gripping story, sometimes violent and dark, and instead of a man leading this journey, there are two women," she comments.