Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd to star in Sundance miniseries

Downton Abbey standout Joanne Froggatt and Mister Fantastic himself Ioan Gruffudd are ready to weave a web of lies in an upcoming series from Sundance TV, Liar.

After six seasons playing vulnerable maid Anna on Downton, Froggatt is hanging up her apron and stepping into a grittier role. Secrets and lies might have been a prominent part of life, both above and below the stairs, at the Abbey, but Liar is likely to lack some of Downton’s whimsical charm. The six-episode thriller, produced in conjunction with the UK’s ITV network, tells the story of Laura Newell (Froggatt) and Andrew Ellis (Gruffudd) and how one night together derails their lives.

Froggatt plays a school teacher who, having recently gone through a breakup, reenters the dating scene only to meet a renowned surgeon and father of one of her students’ Andrew, portrayed by Gruffudd (Fantastic Four, UnREAL). Unbeknownst to either of them, their meeting will change their lives forever with far-reaching consequences for their loved ones.

The miniseries is created and written by BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated producers and screenwriters Harry and Jack Williams of Two Brothers Pictures (Amazon’s Fleabag). BAFTA winner James Strong (Broadchurch, The Great Train Robbery) will serve as lead director on the project, as well as executive produce.

Liar is scheduled to begin shooting in London in November.