±«Óãtv

Martin Shaw returns to Sixties Northumberland in Inspector George Gently with two new feature-length films written by Peter Flannery (The Devil's Whore, Our Friends In The North) and Stewart Harcourt (Miss Marple, Jericho) for ±«Óãtv One.

This classic series, with its growling, passionate detective hero and his headstrong, un-pc sidekick, Bacchus (Lee Ingleby), lovingly recreates the swinging Sixties as it finally hits the North-East of England. Full of warmth and humour, seen through their "perfect" copper partnership, Inspector George Gently brings a colourful nostalgia to the period; when darned socks and a clout round the head were the norm. The series also gives a fascinating insight into a society on the cusp of change, and the difficulties that the police had to face in the Sixties to investigate and solve their crimes – without the help of modern technology.

Writer Peter Flannery says: "Inspector George Gently has taken on a new lease of life since the series came home to its geographical and spiritual roots last year. The city of Durham – in true Geordie fashion – has welcomed the show with open arms and the cast and crew simply love being there."

The first film Goodbye China written by Peter Flannery delves into police brutality and corporal punishment when a youth disappears and an old "grass" of Gently's dies. Guest stars include: Neil Pearson, Dean Lennox-Kelly, Christine Bottomley, Mark Benton, Lucy Akhurst, Shaun Prendergast and Alexandra Gilbreath.

In the second film, Gently Through The Woods, Gently and Bacchus are thrown into the new world of pop and media celebrity – when a schoolgirl vanishes and her friend is catapulted into the public eye. Guest stars include: Neil Morrissey, Vincent Regan, Louise Delamere, Kaye Wragg, Sean Gilder, Christopher Coghill and introducing Kate Bracken.

Inspector George Gently is made by Company Pictures, executive produced by Peter Flannery, George Faber and Charles Pattinson for Company Pictures, and Claire Ingham for ±«Óãtv One. Produced by Caroline Levy (Apparitions, Cape Wrath) and directed by Gillies Mackinnon (Hideous Kinky, Above Suspicion) and Nicholas Renton (When Harvey Met Bob, A Room With A View). Inspector George Gently was re-commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller ±«Óãtv Drama Commissioning.

A further two films have already been commissioned by the ±«Óãtv to be filmed in 2012. Inspector George Gently is filmed on location in Durham and the North East of England.

DG