Graham, Compston join 'Damned'

Brian Clough biopic stars Michael Sheen

By ARCHIE THOMAS

LONDON -- Brit thesps Stephen Graham ("This is England"), Martin Compston ("Sweet Sixteen") and Peter McDonald ("When Brendan Met Trudy") have joined the cast of "The Damned United," a biopic of legendary English soccer coach Brian Clough adapted for the screen by Peter Morgan.

Michael Sheen (previously announced) plays the egotistical and eccentric Clough in the film, which examines his ill-tempered and short-lived tenure as topper at Leeds United in 1974.

Graham plays Leeds United captain Billy Bremner -- Clough's chief nemesis. McDonald and Compston will kit up as players Johnny Giles and John O'Hare, respectively.

Other actors crossing the white lines as soccer players are Mark Cameron, Colin Harris, Joe Dempsie, Giles Anderson, Brian McCardie, Stewart Robertson and Laurie Rea.

Rounding out the casting, announced Friday, are Liz Carling (Clough's wife), Henry Goodman and Maurice Roeves. They join previously announced cast Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney.

The film is a Left bank Pictures Prod. produced by Andy Harries and Grainne Marmion and exec produced by Christine Langan and Morgan. Pic is financed by BBC Films, Columbia Pictures and Screen Yorkshire. Sony Pictures Entertainment has worldwide rights and will release the film in 2009.

The project was due to be directed by Stephen Frears but he stepped aside last summer to be replaced by Tom Hooper.