(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-17 16:19

Gemma Arterton

New Bond girl Gemma Arterton has bagged the lead role in BBC's blockbuster production of Tess Of The D'Urbervilles.

The 22-year-old actress plays the tragic heroine Tess in the adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel, which was serialised in 1891 in censored form because of its challenge to the sexual attitudes of the day.

Arterton will star alongside Anna Massey, who will play the role of as Mrs D'Urberville and Jodie Whittaker, who will star as Izzy.

Ruth Jones, from BBC3 comedy 'Gavin and Stacey,' plays Tess's mother, reports the Scotsman.

The rest of the cast includes Hans Matheson as the milkmaid's seducer Alec, Eddie Redmayne as Angel.

Arterton landed the role of Agent Fields in the latest Bond film, Quantum Of Solace, just six months after graduating from Rada.