Irvine Welsh

Dougray Scott back on the case with new cast in series two of Irvine Welsh's Crime

The six-part series will see Dougray Scott reprise his role as troubled detective DI Ray Lennox, after his unhinged portrayal in series one garnered a recent nomination for an International Emmy.

Following his breakdown after bringing Mr Confectioner to justice in series one, Lennox returns to Edinburgh Serious Crimes ready to prove his recovery. But in the interim, Chief Superintendent Bob Toal (Ken Stott) has lost his mojo and Lennox's partner Amanda Drummond (Joanna Vanderham) has been promoted.

Irvine Welsh on Crime: his new police drama blurring the thin blue line

Set in Miami, the novel follows the hardened but fragile Detective Ray Lennox as he flees to the city to take his mind off a harrowing child rape-murder case back in Edinburgh. It was proving too costly a prospect for producers, says Welsh, until he took the case itself and drew out the six-part series from there.

The author is no stranger to screens having had success in cinema with four adaptations of his novels, including the box office smash and decade-defining Trainspotting (1996). Although, he admits, “you can get a bit comfortable and keep trying to replicate it.”

Sky Arts announces slate of new programmes for free to air launch

(credit: Sky)

With an ambitious programme of activity aimed at supporting the arts through a vital time in the cultural sector, Sky Arts will focus on bringing the arts to more people.

BOYS

Ashley Walters directs this East London set short film written by newcomer Jerome Holder. Two best friends embark on a journey that will shape the men they will become when they fulfil a promise made to one’s older brother.

BritBox announces a set of debut originals

Credit: ITV

BritBox has the biggest set of British boxsets from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and will now debut originals A Spy Among Friends, The Beast Must Die, Crime and Magpie Murders.

A Spy Among Friends is set to be a limited series based on the novel of the same name by Ben Macintyre and explores a world of espionage and duplicity in the time of the Cold War.