Channel 4 has commissioned a film about the tortured impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh, who will be played by John Simm.

The Yellow House, the 75-minute film is being made by Talkback Thames and tells the story of Van Gogh during the time he shared the eponymous house in Arles, southern France, with fellow impressionist Paul Gauguin, to be played by Bleak House actor John Lynch.

The pair of painters lived together during November and December 1888, abandoning respectability as well as their family and friends to commit themselves utterly to their work in increasingly trying circumstances.

The drama also stars Jane Hall, At Home with the Braithwaites star Sarah Smart, Auf Widersehen Pet actor Clive Russell, and Scott Handy - whose credits include Henry VIII - who will play Vincent's brother and dealer Theo Van Gogh.

Simm has impressed critics with lead roles in the dramas Life on Mars, State of Play and Sex Traffic.

The Van Gogh project marks something of a departure for the Channel 4 commissioning editor for arts and performance, Jan Younghusband.

If successful, the broadcaster hopes this will be the first of a number of future "arts dramas".

The Yellow House has been written by Simon Bent, with Chris Durlacher producing and directing and Charles Furneaux taking the role of executive producer.

It will be shown "sometime next year" according to Channel 4.

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