Damian Lewis is detective Charlie Crews -- and he's on the hunt for the people who framed him for murder.

(publication unknown), October 28, 2008

12 years in prison is a long time. no one gets an easy ride behind bars, but when your fellow inmates know you were a cop before you got locked up, you can guarantee that life is going to be tough. To make things worse, Detective Charlie Crews didn't even commit the triple homicide he's been sent down for.

ITV 3's hottest new import, Life, joins Detective Crews as he's finally found innocent and granted his freedom. He leaves the lock-up with his gun, his badge and a decent lump sum to ease him into his new life and that first, much-needed taste of freedom -- but how will he cope with the outside world after so long away? And will he ever discover who framed him?

Having lived on both sides of the law -- as a cop and con -- makes readjusting more difficult than Crews could have imagined. It doesn't help that his new partner in the LAPD is the skeptical and demanding Dani Reese (played by Sarah Shahi).

But Crews' experience has changed him -- for the better. During his time in solitary confinement he gained a Zen-like mental state that allows him to focus his mind and gives him great intuition. And it's a skill that is serving him well when it comes to solving the most complex of crimes and learning to live as a free man. But Crews has a bigger mystery to solve -- he's got to work out who could have hated him so much they wanted him to spend the rest of his days locked away. And this is one mystery he can't let go.

Launched by NBC in the US, Life has already received rave reviews stateside -- and it's bound to be a hit here too. Bringing a touch of modern action to ITV 3's reliable blend of classic British thrillers and dramatic factual shows, this is one arrival that you have to catch this autumn.

Detective Crews will certainly be a familiar face -- he is played by none other than our very own, very talented Damian Lewis (The Forsyte Saga, Band Of Brothers) -- though his impeccable American accent will have you doubting he's really from this side of the pond.

It's complex, intelligent drama, so don't miss a moment of the action. Tune in on October 30th at 10 pm -- we guarantee you'll like what you see. US viewers loved it so much that it has already been picked up for a second season stateside.

Life is on ITV 3 at 10 pm frmo Thursday, October 30.

Caption: "It's complex, intelligent drama, so don't miss a moment of the action."