Coronation Street’s Millie Gibson is set to look “completely different” in the upcoming period drama The Forsytes, where she’s unrecognisable as a ballet dancer with long red hair.

The six-part series, based on John Galsworthy’s novels, boasts a star-studded cast including Home and Away’s Joshua Orpin, One Day’s Eleanor Tomlinson, This Life’s Jack Davenport, and Downton Abbey’s Tuppence Middleton, alongside Francesca Annis, Jamie Flatters, Susan Hampshire and Danny Griffin.

In the drama, Millie portrays the “ambitious wife” of Soames Forsyte (played by Joshua), who finds herself in a family feud with his cousin Jolyon (Danny) over control of the family business.

Set against the backdrop of the late Victorian era, the gripping drama explores familial tensions and marriages under strain as long-held secrets are revealed.

Tuppence Middleton and Millie Gibson star in The Forsytes(Image: 5)

The show’s synopsis hints at the drama to come: “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,” reports the Express.

“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?”

The Coronation Street star is unrecognisable in her new role(Image: 5)

At the Channel 5 programme launch, Millie spoke about her dramatic transformation for the role, which is a far cry from her portrayal of 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.”

Millie said the “special” role came to her at a “needed” time(Image: Getty)

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