Based on the first two acclaimed novels by Peter James called Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, the two films star Jon Simm (Doctor Who) as Roy Grace, the tenacious Brighton based Detective Superintendent.

Lewis said: “Each story is a fantastic, hair-raising, twisting, switch-back of a roller-coaster ride that grips the reader from first to last, and the opportunity to translate that best-selling magic to television is like all one’s Christmases and birthdays come at once.”

The first film, Dead Simple, sees Grace enquiring into cold cases with little chance of success while continuing to be haunted by the memory of his disappeared wife, Sandy.

He has dedicated his entire life to the force but Grace’s unorthodox methods are called into question, threatening the one remaining pillar of his existence.

Thankfully, he has an ally in colleague Detective Sergeant Glenn Branson (Richie Campbell), who enlists his help with a new case.

When a stag night prank goes wrong and the groom goes missing, Grace has to retrace the events that led to the disappearance in the hopes of delivering the groom to the wedding in three days.

Joining Simm and Branson on the force are Rakie Ayola (Noughts + Crosses) as ACC Vosper and Laura Elphinstone (Game of Thrones) as DS Bella Moy. Amaka Okafor (The Split) plays DC Emma Jane Boutwood, while Brad Morrison (National Theatre Live) takes the role of DC Nicholl.

Lewis added: “As his millions of fans and admirers are well aware, Peter's meticulous research and eye for detail is the stuff of legend.

“His long established, close relationship with the police, taken together with a knowledge of Brighton and the South Coast that is the sole preserve of the born and bred lends his stories an unimpeachable veracity of place and procedure.

“That John Simm will be breathing flesh to the bones of Roy Grace really is the cherry on a dark, and troublingly encrimsoned cake…”