Matthew Rhys and Jamie Dornan in Death And Nightingales, BBC Two

Jamie Dornan and Matthew Rhys are set to star in a new BBC period drama, Death and Nightingales, which is set over a 24-hour period in Northern Ireland in 1883.

This will be the second time that Hollywood hunk Jamie Dornan has been directed by Allan Cubitt. The two worked together on the BBC's The Fall for three years, which was a critical success, and helped propelled Dornan onto the A-list and make him Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades series. Dornan is joined in Death and Nightingales by The Americans actor Matthew Rhys and Little Women actress Ann Skelly.

The three-part historical drama has been adapted by Cubbitt from the novel by Eugene McCabe. It is the story of love, revenge and manipulation as a young woman tries to dictate the course of her own life, despite the societal constraints.

Set during the 19th-century, the BBC adaptation follows the 24-hours in which Beth Winters (Skelly) attempts to flee her life and the shackles imposed by her stepfather (Rhys). The picturesque neighbourhood of Fermanagh keeps a close eye on Beth, and there's plenty of spying, double dealing and lying. Not all is lost, however, and there just so happens to be a handsome man on site to help her – enter Liam Ward (Dornan).

Shooting is set to begin this summer (in Northern Ireland). Jamie Dornan commented: 'I’m thrilled to be reunited with Allan and his brilliant scripts to play such an intriguing character like Liam Ward and to return to Northern Ireland and BBC Two'.