A first look at The Crown star Helena Bonham Carter in new ITVX drama Nolly has been released.

The three-part drama, which comes from Doctor Who and It's a Sin boss Russell T Davies, focuses on the infamous sacking of actress Noele Gordon from Crossroads.

In a first clip, we see Bonham Carter in character as Gordon, made up in her iconic red hair, as she announces to the media that she's been fired.

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Related: The Crown star to narrate new BBC documentary from Planet Earth makers

Gordon was a central part of hugely popular soap Crossroads in the 1960s and 1970s, playing the role of Meg Richardson.

However, she was suddenly sacked in 1981 by then-head of programming Charles Denton, a decision that was later attributed to plans to axe Crossroads in favour of prestige dramas. Nolly will take a look at what led to the decision and the backlash from viewers.

helena bonham carter, nolly
ITVX

Related: The Crown's Dominic West responds to "criticism" of him playing Prince Charles

The show is described as "a bold exploration of how the establishment turns on women who refuse to play by the rules, the women it cannot understand and the women it fears", as well as a "love letter" to Gordon.

"Noele Gordon was a fascinating, complex, brilliant and gutsy woman – none of which I knew before I read Russell T Davies' script," Bonham Carter previously said.

"I'm so thrilled to help tell Nolly's long overdue and largely forgotten story. Russell's screenplay is a work of brilliance and I hope I'll do him and Nolly justice. I can't wait to start."

Davies added: "One of my very first jobs in TV was a trial script for Crossroads, and I've wanted to write the story of behind the scenes on that show for 40 years. At last, the truth can be told."

Nolly will stream on ITVX from February 2023.

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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International.  Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.