Looking for LOVE

Rising star SOLLY McLEOD on playing a charming ladies’ man…

- CAREN CLARK

TOM JONES

SOLLY McLEOD 

The cheery foundling ends up in a series of romantic scrapes as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

TOM JONES 

NEW FROM THURSDAY 4 MAY, ITVX DRAMA

A young man’s search for romance and his own identity is at the heart of ITVX’s new period drama Tom Jones, based on Henry Fielding’s 1749 comic novel.

Previously adapted for a 1963 Oscar-winning film starring Albert Finney and a 1997 BBC series with Max Beesley, the story revolves around fun-loving foundling Tom, played by Solly McLeod (The Rising), who is abandoned as a baby at Paradise Hall, the home of genial Squire Allworthy (James Fleet).

The squire raises Tom as his son, but, as the boy grows up, questions remain over his origins, while his eye for the ladies frequently gets him in trouble.

A bond is forged, however, between Tom and Sophia Western (Sophie Wilde), the spirited granddaughter of raucous Squire Western (Alun Armstrong). But a variety of challenges are thrown in the young couple’s way, and their action-packed adventures take them from the idyllic countryside to London.

TV Times caught up with Solly to learn more about the four-part romantic drama…

Did you know much about the story beforehand?

I knew nothing. I thought they were doing a biopic about Tom Jones, the Welsh singer! And I thought, ‘Really? Me as Tom Jones?!’