A much-loved TV and film actor has been unveiled as a surprise headline guest for a four-day literary festival in a North Yorkshire coastal town.
Hugh Bonneville will appear as a headline guest at Whitby Lit Fest, which runs from November 19 to 22 and brings together big-name authors and emerging literary talent for conversation, performance and family events.
Best known for his roles as Robert Crawley in Downton Abbey and Mr Brown in the Paddington films, Bonneville will be appearing in a different capacity - as a children’s author.
He will introduce his latest book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, at a special family event at Whitby Pavilion on Saturday, November 21 at 1pm.
Lois Kirtlan, chair of Whitby Lit Fest, says: 'We were already incredibly proud of the programme we had assembled for Whitby this November, so to be able to announce Hugh Bonneville as a surprise addition just as tickets go on sale is fantastic.
'Hugh is loved by audiences of all ages, from Downton Abbey to Paddington, and we think families are going to have enormous fun discovering another side to him as the creator of Rory Sparkes.'
She adds: 'The whole programme reflects what we want Whitby Lit Fest to be - big-name writers alongside exciting new voices, events inspired by Whitby and the Yorkshire coast, and everything from crime and history to politics, poetry, food, film and children’s books.'
Bonneville's book follows the adventures of a young boy who uncovers a series of coded messages hidden inside a neighbour’s recipe book.
He becomes convinced that a mysterious family is at the centre of a secret conspiracy.
The story takes a stranger turn when Rory’s mother, teachers, and seemingly every adult around him develop an obsession with a foul-tasting new brand of tea.
Bonneville will discuss the making of Rory’s world, bring the story to life on stage, and take questions from the audience.
His appearance adds to an already packed programme that includes events in crime, fiction, history, poetry, politics, food, film, and children’s literature.
Other headline guests this year include John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, with his new novel The Weight of Angels.
Other guests include Ann Cleeves, Joanne Harris, Elly Griffiths, Si King, and actor Greta Scacchi.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae will also appear for a family event based on her picture book Put Your Records On.
The festival opens on Thursday, November 19, with bestselling author Jess Kidd launching the programme with a seaside-themed mystery.
Events will take place at venues across Whitby, including Whitby Pavilion, Eighteen91, Flowergate Hall, Whitby Museum, and Whitby Library.
Tickets are on sale via the festival’s official website.
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