[Scarlett.]

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups. The police who investigate crime, and the Crown Prosecution Service who prosecute the offenders.

The cream of British acting talent is brought together in an ensemble cast of extraordinary breadth to star in Law & Order:UK.

Filming starts this month on the new 13-part drama series for ITV1 based on the enormously successful US format created by two time Emmy award-winning producer Dick Wolf. It will be co-produced by Kudos Film and Television, Wolf Films and NBC Universal.

Bradley Walsh (The Old Curiosity Shop, Torn, Coronation Street) is DS Ronnie Brooks, a real East End, copper’s copper, friend and partner to the charming DS Matt Devlin, Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica, The Last Detective, Ultimate Force) whose approach to policing is part seduction part force. Both report to DI Natalie Chandler (Harriet Walter, Morris: A Life With Bells On, Broken Lines, Atonement) a working mum who would back them to the end.

While the CPS team comprises Freema Agyeman (Dr Who, Torchwood, Little Dorrit) as hard working, strong-willed young prosecutor Alesha Phillips; Ben Daniels (The Passion, The State Within, Cutting It) as dedicated Senior Crown Prosecutor James Steel, a man on a mission for justice; and Bill Paterson (Little Dorrit, Criminal Justice, Sea of Souls) as their respected boss CPS director George Castle, a man trying to balance his ideals with the bigger picture.

ITV Director of Drama, Laura Mackie says: "Kudos have put together the perfect cast to deliver a quintessentially modern British take on a highly successful crime format. The breadth of the acting talent involved will build on the strength of Chris Chibnall's lively and complex scripts."

The brainchild of creator Dick Wolf, Law & Order is the most successful brand in primetime U.S. television. It is the 1997 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Drama Series and the record holder for the most consecutive (11) nominations for a drama series. It has also turned into one of TV entertainment’s most pre-eminent brands, with its successful spin-offs Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Law & Order:UK will be produced by Richard Stokes (Torchwood, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries), the executive producers are Jane Featherstone (Spooks, Ashes to Ashes), Andrew Woodhead (The Fixer, Spooks) and Stephen Garrett (Burn Up) for Kudos, Dick Wolf for Wolf Films and Angela Bromstad for NBCU. The lead writer will be Chris Chibnall, who counts highly successful series such as Life On Mars and Torchwood amongst his prestigious credits, and who will also executive produce. The series is to be one of the highlights in ITV’s programme lineup for 2009.

[GiRTh]

This is exciting news. The American version is one of the longest running shows on TV in America. I'm glad they've made a British version; I'll be looking out for this.