Image copyright IM Global Image caption Timothy Spall has been cast as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness

Filming has begun on a "dramatic comedy" that follows the developing friendship between former enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness.

The Journey stars Timothy Spall as the former DUP leader and Colm Meaney as the Sinn Féin deputy first minister.

The plot of the film centres on a fictional journey Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness take together that leads them to forge an unlikely friendship.

It is being filmed in Northern Ireland.

Image copyright PAcemaker Image caption The friendship between Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness led them to be nicknamed the 'Chuckle Brothers'

It also stars Toby Stephens as former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Freddie Highmore as a young government employee sent to drive the two men on their journey, and John Hurt as a political fixer overseeing the 2006 St Andrew's Agreement.

The script was written by County Down-born novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman.

Its director is Nick Hamm, whose credits include Killing Bono, also filmed in Northern Ireland.