Coronation Street star looks 'completely different' in The Forsytes

Coronation Street star Millie Gibsonhas admitted she looks "completely different" in upcoming period drama The Forsytes.

The Doctor Who star is unrecognisable in the upcoming six-part series, as she transforms into a ballet dancer with long red hair.

The series, based on John Galsworthy's novels, also features Home and Away actor Joshua Orpin, One Day's Eleanor Tomlinson, This Life actor Jack Davenport, and Downton Abbey actress Tuppence Middleton, as well as Francesca Annis, Jamie Flatters, Susan Hampshire and Danny Griffin.

Millie plays the "ambitious wife" of Soames Forsyte (Joshua) who battles against his cousin Jolyon (Danny) about taking over the family firm.

Set in the late Victorian-era, the steamy drama follows familial tensions and marriages erupting as years-long secrets come to life.

The synopsis previously teased: "Sticklers for tradition and status, the older Forsytes prize duty and reputation above all else, whilst the younger members rail against the rigidity of family expectations.

"The question of who will take over the family firm puts Soames Forsyte and his cousin Jolyon in conflict just as their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of two remarkable women.

"Ultimately each Forsyte family member grapples with the same dilemma - is it better to be ruled by the head or the heart?"

Speaking at the launch of the Channel 5 programme, Millie addressed her new look, which is worlds away from her role as Kelly Neelan on Corrie.

"I look completely different in The Forsytes," she admitted, laughing: "I'm the girl with the red hair that's dancing all the time."

She continued: "I look completely different, and it's an absolute pleasure, because I love playing a character that is totally unlike me, and isn't Mancunian.

"It's totally gruelling but totally all worth it."

She also shared that the role came to her at a "needed time", saying: "This job will always be very special to me, it came to me at a very needed time, and I fell completely in love with it and I fell in love with the cast and the crew, I will forever be grateful for it."

She continued: "This job was very special to me, I was very lucky enough to work with such an incredible ensemble. When I saw the cast release, I was like, 'Oh my god!'"

She added: "I'm very fortunate enough to have Joshua Orpin play the husband and we had the most special time, and it will always be in my heart, and I've learned so much from this job."

The Forsytes starts Monday, October 20 at 9pm. Watch or stream on 5