Peter O'Toole plays the older Casanova

The latest telling of the legendary lothario's life will be screened on BBC Three.

Written by Russell T Davies, who is also writing the new Dr Who show, the drama will also feature rising star David Tennant as the younger Casanova.

Casanova also stars Rupert Penry-Jones as Casanova's arch-rival and Little Britain star Matt Lucas as a duke.

"I took this as a chance to reinvigorate period drama, and to tell a dazzling and very funny story," Davies said.

"We're bringing back to life, for three hours, a truly remarkable man, and a genuine legend.

"When I sat down to read Casanova's autobiography - all 12 volumes of it - I discovered that our modern-day impression of a lascivious, misogynist man is hopelessly wrong.

"I wanted to rescue him, to show what he was really like."

Casanova will start filming at the beginning of October in and around Manchester, and on location in Dubrovnik and Venice.

The drama will be made by Red Production Company in association with Granada.

Peter O'Toole was last seen in the epic feature Troy - this is his first role for the BBC since the early 1990s.

David Tennant is shortly to be seen as DI Carlisle in Peter Bowker's six-part drama Blackpool for BBC One, and was Mr Gibson in He Knew He Was Right earlier this year.