Sienna Miller will play Alfred Hitchcock's obsession, the actress Tippi Hedren, in a harrowing drama.

The Girl, to screen on BBC Two next year, details the famous director sexually harassing and intimidating Tippi as the last "Hitchcock blonde".

British actor Toby Jones, known as the voice of Dobby the house-elf in the Harry Potter films, will play Hitchcock.

Playing Hitchcock's wife is fellow Harry Potter star Imelda Staunton, who played Dolores Umbridge in the Potter series and Penelope Wilton, of Downton Abbey fame, is Peggy Robertson, Hitchcock's loyal assistant.

Hitchcock was at the height of his fame when in 1962 he chose an unknown fashion model to star in his most ambitious film, The Birds.

But as he sculpted Tippi into the perfect Hitchcock blonde of his imagination, he became obsessed with the impossible dream of winning her love.

His failure arguably destroyed both of their careers.

Writer Gwyneth Hughes, who's other works include The Mystery Of Edwin Drood and Miss Austen Regrets, interviewed Tippi and surviving members of Hitchcock's crew before scripting the drama.

"At the time (of the sexual assault), in the early 1960s, the American star suffered in silence," Gwyneth said.

"But now, at the age of 81, her wisdom and insights have helped me to put her real life ordeal on to the screen. I know Tippi is absolutely thrilled, as I am, with the casting of Sienna Miller to play her, and when the two of them met recently they got on like a house on fire."