Christopher Eccleston to play drug lord

Former Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston has been cast drug lord in a new BBC thriller, The Shadow Line.

In his latest TV role Eccleston will star alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sir Antony Sher Stephen Rea and Lesley Sharp (Doctor Who: Midnight).

The six-part "noir thriller" looks at the impact of an underworld figure on a wide range of characters.

Written, produced and directed by Hugo Blick, the series will be filmed in the Isle of Man and screened next year.

Ben Stephenson, BBC controller for drama commissioning, said: "I am thrilled that we have attracted such world-class talent to Hugo Blick's thrilling scripts.

"Chiwetel and Chris are two of our finest actors and we couldn't be more excited to have them, and the rest of the amazing cast, on board for this original and epic six-hour series."

(Source: BBC News)