Kara Tointon to Star as 'Maria' in ITV's Live THE SOUND OF MUSIC This Christmas

The hills are officially alive across the UK! As previously reported, ITV is putting on its own live version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC this Christmas. Deadline writes that West End actress Kara Tointon will take on the role of 'Maria', opposite Julian Ovenden as 'Captain Von Trapp'.

Also newly announced in the cast are Katherine Kelly as 'Baroness Elsa Schraeder' and Alexander Armstrong as 'Max Detweiler'.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC will be directed and filmed live by PENNY DREADFUL's Coky Giedroyc, with BILLY ELLIOT's Martin Koch as musical director, and live television director Richard Valentine (STRICTLY COME DANCING).

NBC aired a live production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC in 2013, starring Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer as the lead couple. Last winter, the network screened PETER PAN with Allison Williams, and this year, it tackles THE WIZ. FOX is also joining the live TV production game with its upcoming version of GREASE, set to air stateside this January.

Kara Tointon, the 2010 winner of the BBC's STRICTLY COME DANCING, made her professional acting debut as 'Brigitta' in THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Cliffs Pavilion. She has starred in the West End in PYGMALION, ABSENT FRIENDS and RELATIVELY SPEAKING. Among her TV credits are TEACHERS and EASTENDERS -- more recently, the actress has appeared in the series MR SELFRIDGE.

Photo Credit: Richard Young/Rex/Rex USA