Sharon Rooney leads fresh young cast of My Mad Fat Diary

Sharon Rooney has been announced to star as teen heroine Rae Earl in My Mad Fat Diary, a brand new series starting on E4 this autumn.

Set in the mid-90s at the height of cool Britannia, My Mad Fat Diary takes a hilarious and honest look at teenage life from the perspective of sixteen-year-old Rae - a fat, funny girl who, despite an eccentric mother and her own mental health issues, has a huge lust for life, love and trying to get laid.

Sharon, in her first major TV role after an early career of comedy theatre and stand-up, is joined by a raft of fresh young talent, many of them newcomers.  Rae's friendship group includes best friend and popular girl Chloe played by Jodie Comer, jack-the-lad and joker Chop played by Jordan Murphy, the sweet and innocent Izzy played by Ciara Baxendale, major lust interest Archie played by Dan Cohen, and fit-but-knows-it Finn played by Nico Mirallegro (Spike Island, Hollyaoks).   Claire Rushbrook (Whitechapel, Mutual Friends, Secrets & Lies) plays Rae's mum.

Adapted from Rae Earl's real-life diary and book, the series is written by Tom Bidwell, a previous alumnus of Channel 4's talent scheme Coming Up, and Oscar-nominee for his short film Wish 143. 

Sophie Gardiner, Drama Commissioning Editor, Channel 4, says: "We are delighted that Sharon Rooney is our Rae.  She's a brilliant character who embodies everything we love about this show -warm, funny, and utterly truthful."

The series is directed by Tim Kirkby and Ben Caron, and is a Tiger Aspect production.  My Mad Fat Diary is currently shooting and will start on E4 in late autumn.