Stephen returns to ITV1 to star in Kingdom (working title), his first drama series since Jeeves and Wooster ten years ago. The first episode airs on ITV1 22nd April 2007.

Stephen plays country solicitor Peter Kingdom, whose compassion and humility has won him huge respect in the picture postcard town of Market Shipborough.

But there's a secret sadness for the popular lawyer. His brother, and business partner, Simon, has died but his body has never been found. Peter constantly searches for clues to the mystery surrounding Simon's death.

Hermione Norris stars as Peter's troubled and lustful younger sister Beatrice who wreaks havoc when she comes to live with him after being released from a rehabilitation clinic.

Celia Imrie stars as Gloria Millington, the faithful receptionist and confidante, Phyllida Law plays Peter's dotty Aunt Auriel, and Karl Davies is sharp trainee solicitor Lyle Anderson, who dreams of escaping the sleepy backwater to work in the metropolis. Tony Slattery stars as cantankerous villager Mr Snell, who's always seeking litigation.

Filming has just begun in Norfolk on the series created by Simon Wheeler, and written by Alan Whiting and Jeff Povey.

The series follows Peter's life in Market Shipborough as he takes on the responsibility for everyone's welfare.

Creator and Executive producer Simon Wheeler says:
"Peter Kingdom is a lawyer who thinks human issues are more important than the law. The problems he has to solve through the series are many and varied, but they rarely have much to do with the law. Peter Kingdom is a man who is full of humility and vulnerability who genuinely wants to help people."

"Kingdom is about three families: Peter's own dysfunctional family, Simon, his dead brother, his recently out of rehab sister Beatrice, and his dotty Aunt Auriel; then his family in the office with trainee solicitor Lyle and receptionist Gloria; and the family of Market Shipborough. Peter feels he has a personal responsibility for all of them. He wants to look after the people in his town.

"Kingdom will be witty, charming and soulful. Through Peter we will see life in a market town in today's Norfolk that represents in microcosm the problems of modern living." The beauty of the Norfolk landscape, known as the land of the big skies, lured the production company to set the drama in the county. Stephen has lived in Norfolk for many years, and his passion for the area was a major reason for playing the role.

Of the production Stephen says: "Kingdom does promise viewers a glimpse of the locations I love, and an hour in front of the television that will wash them in colours, textures, landscapes and characters that delight."

The director is Robin Sheppard and the producer is Georgina Lowe. The executive producers are Simon Wheeler and Stephen. Kingdom is the first commission for ITV1 for Simon's production company, Parallel Film and Television Productions. It is being made in association with Stephen Fry's production company, Sprout, which he runs with Gina Carter. Parallel Film and Television Productions was set up two years ago by Simon Wheeler in partnership with Alan Moloney and his Dublin based company Parallel Films. Simon was formerly Head of Development at Coastal Productions.

Stephen Fry is delighted and proud to have worked on the bipolar documentary and hopes it will do some good for all who work in this field. Sadly, however, he is unable to enter into personal correspondence concerning individual cases but would urge to you to be in touch with The Bipolar Organisation (www.mdf.org.uk) if you have serious concerns raised by the programme. Information about the documentary can also be found at the BBC Health

MDF The BiPolar Organisation is a charity that helps people with manic depression (known as bipolar disorder), to take control of this debilitating illness, and help people recover and rebuild their lives. Medication alone is not the answer. Self-help, and learning more about the illness are vital.

It offers practical and local help. With the right support, many people can rebuild their lives and go on to lead a positive and fulfilling life. For more information visit www.mdf.org.uk, call 08456 340 540 or write to: MDF The BiPolar Organisation, 21 St George's Road London SE1 6ES

This revealing two-part documentary, presented by Stephen, examines the reality of living with bipolar disorder - the condition more commonly known as manic depression.

Stephen, himself one of four million sufferers in the UK, spoke to celebrities and those not in the public eye who live with the condition.

In the first programme, Stephen talks about his own experiences, walking out of the West End play Cell Mates and how he spent two hours in his car, hand on the ignition key, contemplating suicide. After fleeing Britain he was eventually diagnosed as bipolar which finally gave him an explanation for the huge mood swings he has experienced throughout his life.

Stephen also meets other celebrities to find out if they are bipolar, and if so, how they deal with it. Stephen asks Robbie Williams if he is bipolar since he appears manic on stage and his depression is well documented. He also meets Carrie Fisher who went undiagnosed for many years; comedian Tony Slattery and chef Rick Stein, whose father suffered from the condition and committed suicide.

Stephen finds out about child diagnosis of the condition in America and meets one mother who has two teenage sons, both of whom have been diagnosed as bipolar. Just preparing their medication takes an hour a day. He also discovers that child birth can be extremely dangerous for women who are bipolar.

A former Lieutenant Commander of the Royal yacht Britannia explains how manic depression ruined his marriage, his career and led him to throw himself in front of a lorry - but he would still rather have the condition.

A former lawyer tells Stephen how, in just four days, she tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose; slashing her wrists; walking in front of a train and drilling a hole in her own head.

There will also be related programming on Radio 2, Radio 4 and BBC local radio stations. A BBC online booklet giving further information about the condition will also be available at bbc.co.uk/health for viewers who want more advice.

Screened on BBC TWO 26th September 2006

In the second and final programme, Stephen Fry finds out how other sufferers of manic depression cope with the condition as he considers taking medication to control his bipolar disorder.

Stephen, one of four million UK suffers of manic depression, was expelled from school, imprisoned and attempted suicide by the age of 17. He was not diagnosed as bipolar until some 20 years later.

Stephen admits he is concerned about taking medication because of potential side effects and the impact it could have on his condition which, ironically, has also given him the energy and creativity that has driven his career.

Oscar winning actor Richard Dreyfuss tells Stephen that he has taken medication to treat his condition for many years and Lithium was one of the first drugs he was prescribed.

But Stephen acknowledges that many people are afraid of Lithium because it can leave people as walking 'zombies' with no emotion. He meets the parents of one pretty, intelligent woman who committed suicide because she was afraid of the stigma of manic depression and the possible side effects of Lithium.

A medical expert explains that once someone with bipolar disorder begins medication, they will need to remain on medication for many years. He reveals that starting a course of medication and not completing it, can create more problems than not taking medication at all.

Stephen also discovers that some bipolar disorder sufferers undergo ECT - electroconvulsive therapy - and meets Andy Behrman, known as Electro Boy. Andy says he now has control of his manic depression after numerous ECT treatments.

But one woman tells Stephen that she does not take medication and is convinced her condition is under control because of her diet which consists of large amounts of Omega oils.

Having spoken to several people who cope with manic depression in different ways Stephen then faces the dilemma of whether to take medication or continue without, as he has done until now.