As Agent Scully in The X Files, investigating paranormal activity was part of her day job.

So it's ironic that Gillian Anderson looks like the walking dead in her latest role as the tormented Miss Havisham in the BBC's festive adaptation of Great Expectations.

The American actress cuts a ghostly figure as the jilted bride in the Charles Dickens classic. She is sure to satisfy those hankering after a bit of Christmas costume drama.

The 43-year-old is no stranger to period drama or Dickens for that matter. She won acclaim for her role as Lady Dedlock in the BBC's 2005 adaptation of Bleak House.

Ray Winstone, 54, also stars in the three-part drama due to be aired over Christmas, as the dastardly Abel Magwitch. David Suchet, 65, plays Miss Havisham's lawyer, Mr Jaggers.

Mr Winstone said he was delighted to be a part of the programme.

'Great Expectations is my favourite novel, and I’m thrilled to be playing Magwitch. I’ve wanted to play him for ages,' he said.

A young pip is played by Oscar Kennedy, while a young Estella is taken on by 15-year-old Izzy Meikle-Small. British actress Vanessa Kirby takes on the role later on.

Both Mr Kennedy, 12, and Miss Meikle-Small are no strangers to playing child leads after he played a young Nigel Slater in last year's autobiographical drama Toast and she a young Kathy in 2010 film Never Let Me Go, alongside Carey Mulligan.

The adaptation is part of the BBC's 2012 bicentenary celebrations of Charles Dickens and promises to present 'the heart and grit of Charles Dickens at his very best.'

Auntie's festive programming also includes a feature-length version of The Borrowers, starring Victoria Wood, Stephen Fry and Christopher Eccleston.

Strictly Come Dancing, Rev, Doctor Who and Gardeners' World are also gearing up for their Christmas specials.

And after a 20-year hiatus, much loved comedy Absolutely Fabulous, starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley as the Bolli-swilling Eddy and Patsy, returns for two new episodes.

Meanwhile ITV is hoping to win the festive ratings war with a special Christmas edition of Downton Abbey and the final of The X Factor.