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Who’s in The Miniaturist cast? Romola Garai, Anya Taylor-Joy, Hayley Squires and Alex Hassell star

The period drama is set to become essential viewing across the Christmas period as BBC brings out the big guns for its festive season. Here's who you might recognise in the show, and what it's all about

THE Miniaturist, adapted from the book of the same name by Jessie Burton, has arrived on our screens this Christmas.

Here's everything you need to know about the cast leading the show...

 Anya Taylor-Joy will lead the all-star cast
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Anya Taylor-Joy will lead the all-star castCredit: Getty - Contributor

Who is in the cast of The Miniaturist?

The BBC have assembled a cast of esteemed acting talent for the highly-anticipated screen adaptation.

The Miniaturist will feature recognisable faces from both stage and screen. Including...

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy has become one to watch over the past year after breaking through with M Night Shyamalan horror flick, Split.

In 2018, she is set to star alongside Charlie Heaton in The New Mutants - a continuation of the X-Men franchise.

Speaking of her role in The Miniaturist, Anya Taylor-Joy said: "I couldn't be happier to tell this amazing and atmospheric story with such a wonderful group of people.

"I immediately fell in love with Nella's resilience and am so looking forward to telling her story and helping to bring this magical book to life."

 The period drama will be based on the book of the same name
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The period drama will be based on the book of the same nameCredit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

Romola Garai

Romola has appeared in several, highly-acclaimed period pieces throughout her career - including Atonement and Suffragette.

She was also recently in UK TV series Born to Kill, which focused on the story of a teenage boy with killer instincts.

Her unusual name is the female version of Romolo, an Italian name for boys stemming from Latin Romulus, the founder of Rome.

Alex Hassell

Alex has become a semi-regular face on British TV, appearing in several small roles in shows including Torchwood and Miranda.

He has since stretched out to Hollywood, and has begun trying to crack the film industry with roles in films including Cold Mountain and Anonymous.

Next year, he is due to appear in two films - The Red Sea Diving Resort opposite Chris Evans and Haley Bennett, and 1840s fantasy horror The Isle.

 Romola Garai and Anya Taylor-Joy both star in the BBC adaptation
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Romola Garai and Anya Taylor-Joy both star in the BBC adaptationCredit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

Paapa Essiedu

Paapa was most recently seen in the blockbuster adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express.

He is mostly a stage actor, and has worked for the Royal Shakespeare company in roles for plays including Hamlet and King Lear.

The star also appeared as Demetrius in an on-screen adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Hayley Squires

Hayley is most known for her role as Katie in I, Daniel Blake.

She has also appeared in the sci-fi series Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams.

Next year, she is set to appear in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for the National Theatre.

In The Miniaturist, Hayley will be taking on the role of Cornelia.

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Emily Berrington

Emily appeared on Outnumbered for one series as object of affection, Stacey.

Since then her breakout role was as Simone Al-Harazi in the spin-off for US TV show 24, titled Live Another Day.

Most recently, she has taken on a leading role as Niska in UK dystopian TV series Humans, which followed the stori

What is The Miniaturist about?

Set in Amsterdam in 1686, The Miniaturist follows the story of 18-year-old Nella Oortman (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Amsterdam.

She is excited for a new life as the wife of merchant, Johannes Brandt, but instead finds herself in a world of betrayal, fear and mystery when she moves into his grand mansion.

Gifted a dollhouse replica of their house, Nella starts to notice a mysterious connection between the miniature figures who inhabit the dollhouse and their real-life counterparts.

Nella soon discovers why her husband is avoiding her and the many secrets of the household - and that the dollhouse may hold the key to more.

When will The Miniaturist air on BBC One?

The Miniaturist will be split in to two parts across the Christmas period.

Episode one is 90 minutes long, and will air on Boxing Day at 9pm on BBC1

It will conclude on the following day at the same time with a 60-minute instalment.

Both parts will then become available on BBC iPlayer.

The epic series was filmed in both Holland and the UK.

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