Emily Atack reveals the reason behind her transformation as she announces her role in new Disney+ series

Emily Atack has revealed the reason behind her new hairdo as she announces a new acting role alongside a star-studded cast.

The actress, 33, will portray Sarah Stratton in Disney+’s adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s bestselling novel Rivals.

Emily, who is best known for playing Charlotte in The Inbetweeners, will star alongside Doctor Who’s David Tennant, Poldark actor Aidan Turner and EastEnders icon Danny Dyer.

The I’m A Celeb star shared the news with her 1.9 million Instagram followers yesterday. She announced: “Saddle up! The dream to be bringing Jilly Cooper’s iconic ‘Rivals’ to Disney+ playing Sarah Stratton (I love her), alongside my beautiful cast mates 😍 See you soon!”

She later shared a Tweet from Disney+ UK on her Instagram story, writing: “Can FINALLY reveal the reason behind my new bonce… I’ll be playing the very naughty Sarah Stratton in ‘Rivals’ - THE DREAM!!! And Christ, what a cast”.

Emily first showed off her new, and shorter, hairdo on Instagram last month as she teased her followers about her “next adventure”.

The Strictly Come Dancing star wrote: “All packed and ready. About to go off on my next big adventure. You just wait ❤️”

Rivals will be an eight-part series, set in 1980s England, which unravels the drama and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite.

Here is the full cast list and their characters:

• Alex Hassell - Ex-Olympian and Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black
• David Tenant - Ruperts neighbour and controller of Corinium Television Lord Tony Baddingham
• Claire Rushbrook - Tony’s wife Lady Monica Baddingham
• Luke Pasquilion - Tony’s younger brother and the owner of Cotchester’s Bar Sinister Basil “Bas” Baddingham
• Rufus Jones - MP Paul Stratton
• Emily Atack - Paul Stratton’s wife Sarah Stratton
• Danny Dyer - Self-made millionaire Freddie Jones
• Lisa McGrills - Freddie Jones’ wife Valeria Jones
• Aidan Turner - TV presenter Declan O’Hara
• Victoria Smurfit - Declan O’Hara’s wife Maud O’Hara
• Bella Maclean - Declan and Maud’s elder daughter Taggie O’Hara
• Catriona Chandler - Declan and Maud’s younger daughter Caitlin O’Hara
• Nafessa Williams - American TV executive Cameron Cook
• Oliver Chris - TV presenter James Vereker
• Katherine Parkinson - James Vereker’s wife and romantic novelist Lizzie Vereker