THE man who starred as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy graced the stage of the Sheldonian Theatre to discuss a new book by author Samantha Shannon.

Andy Serkis, who has also appeared in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Rise of the Planet of the Apes, took part in the discussion on Saturday along with Ms Shannon, director Johnathan Cavendish and film-maker Victor Glynn.

Ms Shannon's new book, The Mime Order, was released on January 27 and is the second book in the Bone Season series.

Mr Serkis and Mr Cavendish are the founders of Imaginarium Studios, which has purchased the rights to film the preceding book in the series, The Bone Season.

The latest instalment tells the story of Paige Mahoney who escapes a brutal prison camp in Sheol I only to find she is the most wanted person in London.

The author studied English Literature at St Anne's College Oxford and graduated in 2013 before signing a six-figure book deal with Bloomsbury Publishing.

Earlier this month she told the Oxford Mail that the city of Sheol I is based partly on Oxford.

She said: "I chose Oxford because I know it well and it is a small enough city for me to be able to redesign it."

Ms Shannon has written three books out of a planned seven in the Bone Season series, including one which is currently unpublished.

He father is a former Metropolitan Police officer who now lives in Banbury.

Saturday's event was organised by Blackwell's bookshop.

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