Hayley Atwell in police drama Life of Crime

Acclaimed actress Hayley Atwell is to star in a gritty, urban crime drama as a risk-taking and impulsive rookie policewoman.

Hayley stars as Denise Woods, who becomes obsessed with tracking down the killer of a 15 year old girl called Anna in Life of Crime.

“Hayley is one of the most outstanding actress of her generation,” said Douglas Rae of production company Ecosse Films. “We previously worked with Hayley on our film Brideshead Revisited and I know she will embrace the extraordinary challenge of playing a woman over 30 years of her career” he added.

Life of Crime, to air on ITV1, explores Denise’s career over three decades as she progresses through the Metropolitan Police Force and how choices she makes as a rookie officer have long lasting and explosive repercussions on both her professional and personal life.

Set against the backdrop of iconic moments in British history the saga follows Denise as she rises through the ranks of an ever changing police force. Denise initially struggles in an extremely male-orientated profession where sexism is rife and female officers must fight to be accepted.

Written by Declan Croghan filming begins in Brixton and Dublin for six weeks from November 2012.