VETERAN actor Donald Sutherland is to star in a new TV series inspired by Salisbury Cathedral – a series set to be broadcast worldwide.

The show, called The Pillars of the Earth, will also star David Oakes, son of the cathedral’s Canon Jeremy Oakes.

Writer Ken Follett’s epic bestseller set in a fictional cathedral is currently being filmed in Hungary and Austria, but will feature shots of sections of Salisbury Cathedral, and much of the authenticity of the series has come after crew consulted with cathedral staff.

Mr Follett said: “My cathedral was partly inspired by Salisbury Cathedral and in its architecture the finished Kingsbridge Cathedral is like Salisbury, with rows of narrow, pointed ‘lancet’ windows. “Indeed, parts of Salisbury’s architecture have been filmed to be reproduced in Kingsbridge Cathedral.”

The series, which is being described as “the world’s largest television event this year”, also stars Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Sarah Parish, Alison Pill and Gordon Pinsent.

David Coulthard from the cathedral, said: “Having read The Pillars of the Earth, like millions of people around the world since it was first published in 1989, we are all looking forward very much to seeing its adaptation on the screen. “We enjoyed showing director Sergio Mimica-Gezzan (Heroes, Saving Grace, Into the West) around this beautiful cathedral church when he visited us last year. He spent time taking detailed notes about the building and had input from our consultant archaeologist Tim Tatton Brown before sending his special effects photographers here in October 2009.”

The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of the building of the fictional 12th century Kingsbridge Cathedral in the south west of England over 40 years. Mr Coulthard added: “Of course we’re delighted about the Salisbury connection with the cast. “David Oakes plays William Hamleigh and the revelation that his father Jeremy Oakes is a Canon of Salisbury Cathedral, was described by Rola Bauer, one of the film’s executive producers, as a ‘jaw-dropping moment’. The links between the production and Salisbury Cathedral run very deep.”

Further information on the series can be found at: http://www.the-pillars-of-the-earth.tv