The extraordinary life of Joseph Merrick, better known as “The Elephant Man”, will be brought to the screen once more, thanks to a new BBC drama.
“I’m extremely excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to take on the portrayal of Joseph Merrick in the BBC’s adaption of The Elephant Man,” Heaton said of the role.
However, the task now comes down to Stranger Things’ own Charlie Heaton, in a two-part drama that marks a fresh take on Merrick’s legacy, written by Neil McKay.
The role has been tackled by major names in the past: Bernard Pomerance’s 1979 play The Elephant Man has seen the likes of David Bowie, Mark Hamill, and Bradley Cooper in the role of Merrick, with John Hurt also memorably starring in David Lynch’s 1980 film of the same name.