Tim Roth, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Okonedo, Toni Collette, Hugh Bonneville and Gina McKee have agreed to star in the disaster film, Tsunami for HBO Films and BBC Two.

It's based on the fatal flood that devastated the Andaman Coast in Thailand in late 2004, says Variety. The film covers the disaster and its aftermath from the vantage point of survivors, media and relief workers.

Tsunami, written by Abbi Morgan, is being directed by Bharat Nalluri. Filming has just begun in the Thailand locations of Phuket and Khaolak; the film will premiere on the pay web and BBC Two at the end of this year.