French cop show ‘Spiral’ gets UK DVD release
Acclaimed French crime drama Spiral gets a long-awaited UK DVD release courtesy of 2|Entertain.The 2005 drama first aired on Canal+ and has been shown in the UK by BBC Four where it won consistently good audience figures.
Often described as a French take on US crime shows such as CSI the series follows an investigation into the murder of a disfigured young woman.
The investigation sees a crack team of officers led by police captain Lauren Bertaund, supported by public prosecutor Pierre Clement and investigating magistrate Judge Roban, brought into conflict with a dark underworld of drugs and prostitution.
Set for release on 6th October the DVD can be pre-ordered from the Seenit.co.uk store.
New Tricks back for sixth series
Cop show New Tricks which stars Dennis Waterman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam as retired coppers investigating unsolved murders will be back for a sixth series, the BBC has announced.
The show, which also stars Amanda Redman, has been a ratings hit for the channel with the latest series peaking at 9.24 million viewers. According to BARB the drama has been the most watched programme on British TV for the weeks ending 13 July, 3 August and 10 August 2008.
Tom Sherry, Executive Producer for Wall To Wall, says it’s “the show’s ability to be both humorously entertaining and, from time to time, tackle darker issues which keeps all the team keen to come back and make next year even better.”
“Amanda, Dennis, Alun and James have brought real depth, warmth and humour to their characters, but I know there is still much more we can do with the series.“
Eleanor Moran, Executive Producer at BBC Independents, said the corporation “is delighted that New Tricks with be returning in 2009 for a sixth series.”
Filming on the new eight-part series will begin later this year.
TCM Crime Week
Following the channel’s five-day Crime Scene Festival TCM is devoting a whole week in October to the ‘mob’ including screenings of Serpico and Michael Caine’s Get Carter. Other films to be shown during the TCM Crime Scene include Angels With Dirty Faces, The Drowning Pool and The Big Sleep.
The channel is also devoting Halloween to a series of horror movies including Poltergeist, The Exorcist and The Hunger.
Other films airing in October include Lethal Weapon, Lethal Weapon 2 and Lethal Weapon 3, Memphis Belle and Burn After Reading.
New ITV Bank Fraud Drama
A host of famous faces are set to star in a new Wired - a new three-part thriller for ITV1 exploring the murky high-risk world of bank fraud. The confirmed cast includes Jodie Whittaker (Venus, St Trinian’s), Toby Stephens (Jane Eyre, Die Another Day), Laurence Fox (Lewis), Riz Ahmed (Britz) and Charlie Brookes (EastEnders).
Whittaker plays Louise, a young, fun loving single mum, who’s given a high profile promotion at ZBG Banking. Unknown to her Louise has been targeted as part of a conspiracy to coerce her into facilitating a £250 million internet bank theft.
At the heart of her troubles is best friend Anna, (Brookes) who’s had her head turned by the glamour and glitz of the criminal world and is persuaded to divulge the secrets of Louise’s murky past to her devious boyfriend Philip (Fox), which he uses to entice her into his plot.
An ex-ZBG employee, Philip Manningham, fired for defrauding the bank, has the insider knowledge that makes him an ideal associate for Manesh (Ahmed) intent on stealing high amounts with the smallest personal risk, who has frightened cousin Ben (Sacha Dhawan) as his mole in the bank.
Manesh treads dangerously when he approaches Mr Ralindi (Ramon Tikarum), head of an Asian gangster network, for help in laundering the £250 million. As the day of the scam approaches, the stakes rise and people start to disappear.
Executive Producer Sita Williams says: ”Wired is a dark thriller which will keep the viewer guessing until the final conclusion. I’m delighted with the casting as Jodie is our ideal heroine, and Toby is perfect as the inscrutable Crawford. We also have the added coup of securing Laurence Fox and Charlie Brookes in key roles.“