Olivia Colman to star in movie adaptation of London Road

The actress will play Julie in the screen version of the National Theatre hit

Olivia Colman will play a Neighbourhood Watch event organise in the movie adaptation of hit musical production London Road (Getty Images)

Olivia Colman will appear in a movie adaptation of London Road, the hit National Theatre musical about the murder of five prostitutes in Ipswich.

The Broadchurch actress, 40, will make her singing debut as Neighbourhood Watch event organiser Julie, who strives to rebuild her community after the horrendous crimes.

Rufus Norris’ award-winning original production, which opened in 2011, set the words of local residents interviewed in the wake of the killings to music.

The director has worked on the film’s screenplay with London Road’s creators, writer Alecky Blythe and composer Adam Cork, and playwright Moira Buffini.

Tom Hardy is set to feature in a minor role as taxi driver Mark, while the theatre show’s Linzi Hateley will reprise her part of a retired school-teacher and Neighbourhood Watch secretary for the screen.

Anita Dobson takes on the role of line-dancer June, with members of the theatre ensemble including Clare Burt, Kate Fleetwood, Hal Fowler and Nick Holder taking on various parts in the movie.

Steven Wright was found guilty of murdering sex workers Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Annette Nicholls, Gemma Adams and Paula Clennell between October and December 2006.