Follett's Epic Book To Be Turned Into Mini-series

The eight-hour, $40 million (£25 million) 'event' will premiere in the U.S. this summer (10).

Sergio Mimica-Gezzan will direct the project on location in Hungary and Austria.

Matthew MACfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Sarah Parish and Alison Pill will also be part of the cast.

And Follett has given the film his blessing: "I am delighted with the series of The Pillars of the Earth."

The book was released to acclaim in 1989 and has since sold more than 14 million copies worldwide and been published in more than 30 languages. It was the 60th selection in Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club.