Paapa Essiedu, who has just landed the role of Snape in HBO’s Harry Potter TV series, is leading Channel 4 drama series Falling from Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne and It’s a Sin director Peter Hoar.

Hot property Essiedu will play Catholic priest David opposite Keeley Hawes, who is devoted nun Anna. Both are deeply committed to their work in the church and in their community. Neither are expected to fall in love. But when they do, both are forced to wrestle with what it means for them, their vows, and their relationship with God.

Also joining the cast of Falling from Banijay-backed The Forge are Rakie Ayola (The Pact, Kaos), Jason Watkins (Coma, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies), Niamh Cusack (The Virtues, Heartbeat), Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey, The Chelsea Detective), David Dawson (My Policeman, The Last Kingdom), Susan Brown (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, It’s A Sin), Sandra Voe (Howards End,...