Nolly FIRST LOOK: Helena Bonham Carter stars as Crossroads star Noele Gordon in moments after firing

Helena Bonham Carter stars in the first trailer for her upcoming ITVX drama Nolly, set to air in early 2023.

The actress, 56, plays the late Crossroads star Noele Gordon, who was fired without ceremony, warning or explanation at the height of the show’s success in 1981.

In the preview, the moments immediately after her firing are depicted, where she hilariously tells the press that she was fired, despite being advised to say that she “quit”.

Before speaking to the journalists, Noele is told: ‘Now remember, you have resigned. This is fine, this was always your plan.

‘You have submitted your resignation because you wanted to, the decision to resign is yours and yours alone.’

However, he shocks his right-hand man by defying his advice, telling reporters, “Gentlemen, I’ve been fired.”

The BAFTA winner has already filmed the show alongside Mark Gatiss, who plays the soap star’s best friend, Larry Grayson.

Speaking about his role, according to Mirror, said: ‘When I read the script, it was like a gift. A dream. It’s like meeting someone and falling in love.

I saw Crossroads. So I knew Noele Gordon as a figure, but I hadn’t really been aware of the looting.

Mark added that filming his part was “a pleasure.”

The three-part miniseries, written by Russell T Davies, will explore the all-powerful reign and fall from grace of the inimitable Noele, who died in 1985.

Noele was declared the ‘Queen of the Midlands’ thanks to Meg Mortimer’s iconic role in Crossroads and was the darling of the establishment until it turned on her.

In the role of the grey-haired widow Meg in the long-running soap opera Crossroads, Noele became one of the most famous people in Britain.

Then, in 1981, at the height of the show’s success and the height of her fame, she was fired without ceremony, without notice, and without explanation, with the soap finally ending two years later.

With the boss’s words “all good things must come to an end” ringing in her ears, Noele found herself thrown out of the show that had been her life for over 18 years.

A love letter to a television legend and the wacky soap opera she starred in, Nolly will be an entertaining journey through Noele’s most tumultuous years and a sharp, loving and heartbreaking portrait of a forgotten icon.

Of the role, Helena previously said, “Noele Gordon was a fascinating, complex, brilliant and courageous woman, none of which I knew before reading Russell T Davies’ script.”

“I am very excited to help tell Nolly’s long-awaited and largely forgotten story.

“Russell’s script is a brilliant piece of work and I look forward to doing him and Nolly justice. I can’t wait to start.

Nolly has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill, who commented: “Russell’s scripts are magnificent and a great tribute to Noele Gordon, but also to our national love of soap operas and a celebration of the incredible women who create”.

“Helena Bonham Carter is going to be amazing as Nolly and we can’t wait for her to put on those shoes.”

Russell said: “One of my first TV jobs was a test script for Crossroads, and I’ve wanted to write the behind-the-scenes story on that show for 40 years. The truth can finally be told!

Noele, who had previously had multiple roles on the stage before landing her role on Crossroads, played Meg from 1964 to 1981, then returned for a two-episode season in 1983.

After she was written off the show, Noele’s failing health prevented her from accepting many more roles, and she died in 1985 at the age of 66.

Nolly will be available on ITVX in early 2023, following the streaming service’s launch on December 8.