Kelly Reilly is set to board event TV series Britannia, Deadline reveals.

The series charts the Roman invasion of what would become Great Britain in 43 A.D. and the rise of iconic female warrior Boudicca. The eight part series, which is now set up at Sky, will follow the growing relationship between Boudicca and Roman Consul Cassius who ultimately unite to lead an insurgency against Roman Emperor Claudius. Reilly plays the key character of Kerra.

Britannia is being pitched as an earthy swords and scale high-end show that can appeal to audiences. Kari Skogland (Vikings; House of Cards) is directing. Star Wars‘ Rick McCallum is producing. Martha Little, who created the show, exec produces along with Sky’s Anne Mensah, One Three Television’s Anne Thomopoulos, Vertigo’s James Richardson and Terry Cafolla. Filming starts in May.

Reilly has Idris Elba-Richard Madden actioner Bastille Day coming out later this month. The Studio Canal pic opens in the UK on April 22. Focus is releasing domestically. The pic, directed by James Watkins, follows a young artist and former CIA agent, who embark on an anti-terrorist mission in France.