Andrew Herwitz' The FilmSales Company has bulked up its AFM slate after picking up worldwide rightsexcluding the UK to the sibling drama Middletown starring Matthew Macfayden.

Macfayden, currently starring as Charles Darcy opposite Keira Knightley in PrideAnd Prejudice, will star in theIreland-set tale about the torrid relationship between two brothers.

Brian Kirk will direct from a screenplay by Daragh Carville and Michael Caseywill produce. Daniel Mays, Eva Birthistle and Gerard McSorely round out the keycast.

Production is set to begin in November in time for delivery at Cannes 2006. UKand US releases are expected in late 2006.

Kirk is currently developing the projects Sin Spree with Green Park Films, Hand Me Down with US-based International Arts Entertainment, and TheUltras with the BBC.