Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Monty Python Michael Palin to star in BBC First World War drama The Wipers Times

 

Robert de
Tuesday 02 July 2013 09:23 BST
Comments
From Trench coat to Trench warfare: Michael Palin is to star in a new BBC WW1 drama
From Trench coat to Trench warfare: Michael Palin is to star in a new BBC WW1 drama (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Monty Python star Michael Palin is returning to television drama to star in the story of how British soldiers in the trenches of the First World War produced and published their own satirical newspaper.

Private Eye editor Ian Hislop has teamed up with scriptwriter Nick Newman to write The Wipers Times - the name of the paper produced by the troops and named after the battlefield pronunciation of Ypres.

Joining Palin in the cast of the BBC2 show are Ben Chaplin, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Emilia Fox.

Channel controller Janice Hadlow said: "Just like the original Wipers Times, this new history drama will be filled with jokes, spoofs and amazing examples of courage behind the laughs. I am delighted to be bringing such a brilliant drama and cast to BBC2."

The Wipers Times, which combined black humour and satirical swipes at allies and enemies alike, was set up after troops discovered an abandoned printing press on the battlefield and used it to produce the paper.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in