Actors Chris Noth, Neve Campbell, and Derek Jacobi have joined the cast of the 12-part mini-series Titanic: Blood and Steel.

The sprawling mini-series centers on the design of the ship, how it was built, and the financial compromises which ultimately lead to its untimely demise. Chris Noth will portray financier J.P. Morgan, with Neve Campbell portraying a journalist covering the ship's first voyage to New York City. Derek Jacobi will play Lord William Pirrie, chairman of the Harland and Wolff company which built the Titanic.

The cast already includes Ophelia Lovibond, Billy Carter, Massimo Ghini, Branwell Donaghey, Martin McCann, and Kevin Zegers.

Ciaran Donnelly is directing Titanic: Blood and Steel from a screenplay by Matthew Faulk, Mark Skeet, and Stefano Voltaggio, based on an idea by creator Fabrizio del Noce.

Production is scheduled to start this week in Serbia. The mini-series will air sometime next spring, to conincide with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's maiden voyage to New York City.