Cinema, here we come! Michelle Keegan bags her FIRST film role in 'brutal' new movie... and it will be set in Manchester

PUBLISHED: 15:12, 7 April 2015 | UPDATED: 17:06, 7 April 2015

Michelle Keegan has been named as a principal cast-member in her first feature film, a black comedy set on the streets of Manchester.

The 27-year-old follows her recent success in BBC hit Ordinary Lies with a role in Salford based Strangeways, Here We Come – produced by Penny Dreadful star Stephen Lord.

Former soap star Michelle will play Demi in the forthcoming film, which follows the lives of Salford residents caught in the grip of local loan shark Danny Nolan, played by Lord.

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New role: Michelle Keegan follows her recent success in BBC hit Ordinary Lies with a role in Salford based Strangeways, Here We Come – produced by Penny Dreadful star Stephen Lord

Marking her first foray in film, the new role will see her star alongside Elaine Cassidy, Lauren Socha, Peter Caulfield and Nina Wadia – best known for playing Zainab Masood in EastEnders.

Work on the forthcoming feature, which takes its title from local band The Smiths’ 1987 album of the same name, commenced in Greater Manchester on Monday.

In a press release heralding the film Lord describes it as a 'brutal comedy drama' with 'a message of hope.'

Previously: Ordinary Lies marked Michelle's first TV venture following her departure from ITV soap opera Coronation Street

Meanwhile Michelle, sill best known for her role as Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street, is furiously whipping herself into shape ahead of her marriage to former TOWIE star Mark Wright later this year.

Revealing her pre-wedding routine to MailOnline, she said: 'I've been very busy at the moment but if I have time, I go to the gym 3-4 times per week.

'Cardio is good for getting you sweating but it slims you down and I think it makes me look too skinny.'

Breakout: The actress is still best known for her role as Tina McIntyre on the long-running soap

Mark and Michelle met on a new year's break in Dubai back in December 2012, five months after the former Coronation Street star split from The Wanted's Max George.

Former TOWIE heartthrob Mark later popped the question when they returned to the Middle Eastern holiday hotspot in September 2013.

But Michelle admitted she thought her beau was joking when he got down on one knee.

She said in an interview with Hello! magazine: 'I thought he was joking at first and then he said "come here".

'I started crying, and said yes, and then he started welling up as well. Then as we walked further down the beach I saw a table set up with lanterns and petals, and with two glasses of champagne.'

Mark added: 'It didn't take me long to realise that Michelle is everything I wanted. Michelle is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.'

EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Keegan parties abroad in Ordinary Lies