Sir Michael Caine has been snapped on the set of his new series, The Great Escaper, which tells the story of a war veteran's escape from a British care home.
The 89 year old actor was pictured at Camber Sands, East Sussex, as he takes on the starring role of Bernard Jordan – the former navy officer who made headlines around the globe in 2014.
The then-90 year old left the safety of The Pines care home in Hove, East Sussex, to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, France.
Bernard then embarked on a cross-channel trip wearing his war medals beneath his grey mac so that he could commemorate his fallen comrades.
His "great escape" sparked a police search and his whereabouts was only uncovered when a younger veteran from Brighton phoned later that night to say he had met the veteran on a coach on the way to France, and that they were safe and well in a hotel in Ouistreham.
"It was a story that captured the imagination of the world – Bernie seemed to embody the defiant, 'can-do' spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing," The Great Escaper's official synopsis reads.
"But of course, it wasn’t the whole story. It was the story we all tell ourselves to make war and old age bearable. The bitter-sweet script explores the reality with wit and a very big heart."
In the ITV series, Sir Michael will be reunited with actress Glenda Jackson, 86, who plays Jordan's wife Irene.
Their reunion comes 47 years after they famously starred in director Joseph Losey's The Romantic Englishwoman.
Directing the picture is BAFTA nominated Oliver Parker with writer William Ivory, best known for his work on Made In Dagenham and Common As Muck, also on board.
Discussing the series, Oliver said: "No one can resist a script that makes people both laugh and cry – I loved Billy’s writing and the story itself, so inspirational and so moving, seemed to speak to our times and our need for heroes on a human scale, whether people like Bernard Jordan or our doctors and nurses.
"And now to have Michael and Glenda – two iconic actors – agree to honour this story with their brilliance, it’s the cherry on the cake!"
The series is expected to be released next year.
Sir Michael has previously spoken about the secret to his good health, suggesting it's all down to the food he had to eat during the Second World War.
The Dark Knight star grew up in Bermondsey, South London, and has said he believes the lack of sugar in his diet due to rationing and the amount of fish he had to eat taught him important lessons about food and nutrition which have lasted throughout his entire life.
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