Derek Jacobi has boarded the mini series Titanic: Blood and Steel. The actor will play Lord William Pirrie, responsible for the company that constructed the vessel.

The 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.

Production has started 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.