HOLLYWOOD stars William Shatner and Brian Cox have joined the cast of a film about the death of T.E. Lawrence.

Production of the feature film Lawrence: After Arabia is well under way with a studio shoot scheduled in Dorset later this month.

While most of the film’s cast and crew are based in Dorset, the film’s director has announced Brian Cox and his wife Nicole Ansari Cox have joined the project as well as Star Trek star William Shatner.

Director Mark J.T.Griffin said: “Brian and Nicole are normally based in New York so we were very fortunate when a space opened in their diaries so that we could cast them.

"Nicole plays Lawrence’s mother Sarah Lawrence and Brian voices Lawrence’s father and is also our epilogue which closes the film.

"Nicole and Brian are fantastic actors, and we are so proud for them to be taking part in the project.”

Brian Cox CBE is an Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor who started his career in theatre winning awards for his role in King Lear. His first big break was as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter. Through the 1990s, he appeared in nearly 20 films and television series, as well as making numerous television guest appearances.

More recently, Cox has had roles in major films, including playing the lead in Churchill, Troy, Red, Red 2, X-Men 2 and the Bourne series of films. He is currently the lead in the successful TV series Succession.

Discussing the casting of William Shatner, Mr Griffin said: "Over the last six months I’ve been searching for a well-known North American actor with gravitas to play Lowell Thomas, T.E. Lawrence’s publicist.

"I am therefore immensely proud to announce that William Shatner has been cast in the role.

"Shatner’s career has spanned six decades, earning him Golden Globe and Emmy awards.

"He has been honoured by NASA and has co-authored over two dozen science fiction novels, many from either the Star Trek or TekWar universes, and ten books of memoir or non-fiction.

"As you can imagine we are pretty much blown away – as a Trekkie I still can’t believe I have Captain Kirk on board – and we are highly grateful for his support of the project.

"My thanks to Mr Shatner and also for Katherine in LA for making this happen."

Production of the film will end with location shoots in May and June. The movie is partially crowdfunded.

The film is scheduled for release in May 2020.

It takes a new look at the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of the military officer, archaeologist, diplomat and Arabist, dramatising rumours that he was assassinated by intelligence services.

For more information on the film, visit lawrenceafterarabia.co.uk.