Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History Of David Copperfield has finalised its cast ahead of principal photography, which kicks off today on location in the UK.

Gwendoline Christie (Game Of Thrones), Benedict Wong (Avengers: Infinity War), Paul Whitehouse (The Death Of Stalin) and Daisy May Cooper (This Country) have now joined the film, which stars Dev Patel in what the production are styling as a “fresh and distinctive take on Charles Dickens’ literary classic”.

Hot off the success of The Death Of Stalin, which was nominated for two Baftas, writer-director Iannucci also co-wrote David Copperfield with Simon Blackwell (In The Loop) and producers alongside Kevin Loader (The Death Of Stalin). The project was developed with FilmNation Entertainment and is co-financed by FilmNation and Film4, which boarded in May.

FilmNation is also handling international sales and co-represents US rights with UTA Independent Film Group. Lionsgate previously picked up UK rights.

Set in the 1840s, the film will chronicle the life of its title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it. Also in the cast are Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, Ben Whishaw, Aneurin Barnard, Morfydd Clark, Anthony Welsh and Rosalind Eleazar.

Crew include casting director Sarah Crowe, production designer Cristina Casali, costume designer Suzie Harman, cinematographer Zac Nicholson and composer Chris Willis.