It was back to work for Sir Ian McKellen as he returned to acting for the first time since his stage fall horror last year.

The Lord of the Rings actor was in a jovial spirit as he was joined on the movie set by Gavin and Stacey star James Corden.

The 85-year-old actor wore an array of colourful outfits, including a number of eclectic knitwear items with blue and burgundy shackets.

Fresh from the success of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas finale, which was watched by 20.6m viewers, a bespectacled James Corden, 46, shared a laugh with Baby Reindeer actress Jessica Gunning, 38.

Sir Ian was also spotted on the arm of a helper who guided him as the Octogenerian acting legend as he walked.

Ian McKellen has returned to work seven months after he was hospitalised following a fall off the stage at his West End show

The actor was joined by James Corden as they began filming Steven Soderbergh’s dark comedy The Christophers with Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning (right)

Ian was rushed to hospital and urged to rest after falling off the stage during a performance of his show Player Kings

Sir Ian’s stage and film career has spanned more than six decades, but he sparked concern when he fell off the stage of the Noel Coward theatre in London’s West End in June.

The actor, who was playing Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, was hospitalised and suffered a chipped vertebra and fractured wrist forcing him to pull out of the rest of the run.

He later said he felt ‘ashamed’ and ’emotional’ for letting down West End audiences, and said that it had made him ‘aware there isn’t much time left’.

For two-time Oscar nominee Sir Ian, recent projects include the films The Critic, Hamlet, and The Good Liar.

He was also joined on set by Bafta-award winning I May Destroy You creator, 37, Michaela Coel.

The actors will star in Steven Soderbergh’s dark comedy, The Christophers, about the estranged children of a once-famous artist who hire a forger to complete his unfinished works so they can be discovered and sold after his death.

The script is written by Ed Solomon, Soderbergh’s collaborator on the 2021 crime thriller No Sudden Move, Max miniseries Full Circle, HBO murder mystery Mosaic, and Bill & Ted Face the Music.

Ian was seen chatting to James as they got to work on the scenes

The actor wore an array of colourful outfits, including a number of eclectic knitwear items with blue and burgundy shackets 

Ian cut a casual figure in a burgundy padded jacket as he headed into London to film his scenes for the film

Sir Ian was also spotted on the arm of a helper who guided him as the Octogenerian acting legend as he walked 

Sir Ian’s stage and film career has spanned more than six decades, but he sparked concern when he fell off the stage of the Noel Coward theatre in London’s West End in June

The actor, who was playing Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, was hospitalised and suffered a chipped vertebra and fractured wrist 

The star was in good spirits as he headed back to work to film the new project

This is James’ first big role since earning huge fan praise for Gavin and Stacey’s final episode, after it hit screens on Christmas Day

He was hugely praised by fans after he and Ruth Jones penned a ‘perfect’ ending to the BBC comedy, 17 years after it first hit screens

He and Jessica were seen filming a cene which saw them strolling through the city together

Jessica sported a green shirt dress with a floral-effect hem, teamed with a red printed coat

Later changing into another ensemble, Jessica sported a black and white coat, while a hairstylist curled her brunette hair for the scenes

The star recently earned critical praise and a string of awards nominations for her performance in Baby Reindeer

Jessica starred in the Netflix series Baby Reindeer, which was created by star Richard Gadd, and based on his own experience with stalking

The actors will star in Steven Soderbergh’s dark comedy, The Christophers, about the estranged children of a once-famous artist who hire a forger to complete his unfinished works so they can be discovered and sold after his death

The script is written by Ed Solomon, Soderbergh’s collaborator on the 2021 crime thriller No Sudden Move, Max miniseries Full Circle

Jessica’s appearance in the film comes after she scooped multiple awards for her performance in Baby Reindeer

The star was seen sharing a laugh with James between takes

Also set to star in the film is I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel, her first big role since starring in the acclaimed series in 2020

The Chewing Gum star earned critical praise for her performance in I May Destroy You, and the series landed multiple BAFTA nominations

The star is also known for her E4 sitcom Chewing Gum, which she created in 2015

After his fall in June, Ian put on a brave face as he turned up to surprise the cast of Player Kings in Newcastle after he was forced to withdraw from the show.

The actor took to Instagram to announce he would be part of the audience for the final night of the play in Newcastle.

Sharing a professional pH๏τo with his freshly cut hair, Sir Ian wrote: ‘On the day of the 101st and final performance of Player Kings – without me – I celebrated by removing Falstaff’s hair, which has been growing for nine months.

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Sir Ian McKellen, 85, makes surprise return to the stage for pantomime – months after horror fall

‘I will be in the audience for the matinee in Newcastle.’

In August, Sir Ian took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a health update with his legions of fans.

He wrote: ‘Just two weeks after my accident onstage I want to ᴀssure my many well-wishers that the injuries (to wrist and neck) are on the mend,’ he wrote. ‘My doctors promise a complete recovery – but only if I avoid work over the next few weeks.’

‘Meanwhile the show goes on and the Player Kings company start their four weeks’ tour without me,’ Ian continued on X.

‘Any actor will say that missing a performance feels somewhat shameful, even when he is not to blame. None of us ever wants to let down our audience,’ he added.

Sir Ian announced that he was having ‘physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home’ after three nights in hospital.

The actor was in a scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell off the front of the stage, and was heard to cry out in pain as staff rushed to help.

In his statement, Sir Ian said: ‘After three nights in hospital, the effects of my fall onstage have been fully analysed and I’m now having physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home.

‘Meanwhile, my part in Player Kings is filled by the redoubtable David Semark supported by Robert Icke’s amazing production and cast.

‘The many messages of love and support will, I am sure, aid the speedy recovery that my doctors have promised me.’

Ian made a brief return to the stage with an unscheduled appearance in pantomime Robin Hood, at the London Palladium in December.