ACTRESS Maxine Peake continues to add to her prolific portfolio in the run up to Christmas.

The former Shameless star is currently filming a new BBC1 drama penned by the same writer behind the hit series Silk.

The drama will follow the residents of one English village across the 20th century and their turbulent lives.

Miss Peake will appear alongside actor John Simm as working parents struggling to provide for their children.

The Bolton actress is also lined-up to perform the vocals with band Eccentric Research Council (ERC) at a secret venue in Preston on Sunday, December 16 as part of a project about the legend of the Pendle Witch Trial.

The 38-year-old also made her play writing debut last week with her BBC Radio 4 drama about cyclist Beryl Burton.