TELEVISION and film star Benedict Cumberbatch could be set to film in Dorset as he prepares to star in an adaptation of a “most treasured” novel set in the county.

The Sherlock and Imitation Game actor is set to star in and produce an adaptation of the classic British novel Rogue Male.

The novel tells the story of an Englishman who tries to assassinate a European dictator and after escaping secret service guards returns to England where he learns he is being pursued.

After pushing one pursuer on to a live rail track, a manhunt is launched and he flees to Dorset.

The novel references and features several locations in the county including Dorchester, where the hero first flees from London, as well as Weymouth where he goes to try and trick pursuers as well as Beaminster and Bridport.

Other locations in the 1939 Geoffrey Household novel include Powerstock, Marshwood Vale, Lyme Regis and Cattistock.

The film is said to be in development and at an early stage with a script currently being worked on and is set to go in to production later next year.

Speaking to the Holywood Reporter about the project, Cumberbatch said: “I am thrilled both as an actor and producer to be working on bringing this most treasured of English novels to the big screen.”

Michael Lesslie, who adapted Macbeth for the big screen last year, starring Michael Fassbender, is writing the screenplay.

If the movie does film in Dorset, it won’t be the first time Cumberbatch has come to the county for a production.

The Imitation Game filmed scenes at the Sherborne School, where Alan Turing was educated.

With production still in its early stages, it remains to be seen if the film will choose to shoot in the county, or use another area to represent Dorset.

Last week it was revealed that recent television and film productions in the county have provided a boost of more than £600,000 in investment.

Speaking to the Echo recently Beth Hogben, Creative England’s production and regional partnerships manager for the south west said that there is an awareness that having a destination such as Dorset in a film often can encourage people to visit.

Recently, Weymouth and Swanage were taken back to the 1940s as filming for Christopher Nolan’s war epic for Dunkirk took place around the harbour and on the railway with stars including Harry Styles, Cillian Murphy and Mark Rylance spotted in the area.

The third and final season of Broadchurch has also recently been shooting in and around Bridport and West Bay.