The war on the home front returns to the BBC this December in a new, one-off comedy drama that follows the making of the long-running BBC sitcom. We’re Doomed! The Dad’s Army Story will trace the show’s origins, from writer Jimmy Perry’s initial idea in 1967 until the transmission of the first episode in 1968.

With John Sessions as Arthur Lowe (aka the long-suffering Captain Mainwaring), We’re Doomed! will also star Richard Dormer and Paul Ritter as writers David Croft and Jimmy Perry in a cast that also includes Julian Sands as John Le Mesurier, Mark Heap as Clive Dunn, plus Shane Richie, Bill Pertwee, Kevin Bishop, Keith Allen, Sally Phillips, Sarah Alexander and Roy Hudd.

There’s competition for the Dad’s Army market with a new film remake reporting for duty early next year, starring Toby Jones as Captain Mainwaring, Bill Nighy as Sergeant Wilson and Catherine Zeta Jones as a reporter meeting the Home Guard.