Karen Gillan to play Jean Shrimpton

Karen Gillan is to portray sixties supermodel Jean Shrimpton in a new BBC biopic.

The 'Doctor Who' actress will play the iconic beauty - who was nicknamed 'The Shrimp' - in 'We'll Take Manhattan', a BBC Four film chronicling her four-year love affair with photographer David Bailey.

Karen said: "Jean Shrimpton is an icon of the sixties and I am so excited to be playing somebody who had such a lasting impact on the fashion world. I can't wait to take on the challenge of bringing Jean and Bailey's fascinating love story to life. Sixties here I come."

Jean met David in 1960 while he was still married to first wife Rosemary Bramble, who he later divorced so he could be with the model.

The main focus of the film will be a photo shoot for Vogue magazine which took place in New York in 1962 but will also examine their relationship, both personal and professional, and the photographer's role in making Jean one of the most famous faces in the world at that time.

Executive producer Claire Parker, of production company Kudos, said: "In Jean, Bailey found someone that he and his camera fell in love with. 'We'll Take Manhattan' captures the essence of their dynamic affair and how they unwittingly changed the face of a decade."

It is not yet known who will star opposite Karen as David.

Filming is due to begin in May although a transmission date has yet to be confirmed.