Derek Jacobi, Diana Rigg to star in BBC's 'A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong'

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Murder on the Orient Express actor Derek Jacobi and Game of Thrones alum Diana Rigg are to star in the BBC's television event A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.

The comedic adaptation of Dickens' holiday classic casts Jacobi as Ebenezer Scrooge in the British broadcaster's production of A Christmas Carol "until it is hijacked by the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society and he is hauled out while on air!" a press release said. "Diana Rigg is playing the aunt of Sandra, one of the Cornley crew, and will also step in as the narrator, as well as on the accelerator as she races against the clock to make it to the recording before the curtains close."

"It's always a delight to be reacquainted with Dickens and A Christmas Carol is emblematic of this time of year. I hear that last year's festive theater production was an all-out shambles, but, thankfully, the BBC has called in the professionals for this one," Jacobi joked in a statement.

"I can't wait to bring merriment and mischief to audiences this Christmas, with the wonderful Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society. And I have also been entrusted with another very important job -- all will be revealed soon, but let's just say hearts will be warmed this winter!" added Rigg.