The Escape Artist is an original three-part suspense thriller set in the world of criminal law. David Tennant plays Will Burton, a talented junior barrister who specialises in spiriting people out of tight legal corners, hence his nickname of “The Escape Artist”. Will is in high demand as he has never lost a case. But when his talents acquit the prime suspect in a horrific murder trial, that brilliance comes back to bite him with unexpected and chilling results.Filming begins today on The Escape Artist, a new 3x60-minute legal thriller for BBC One. Created and written by David Wolstencroft (Spooks, Shooting Dogs), The Escape Artist stars David Tennant (Doctor Who, True Love), Toby Kebbell (RocknRolla, Black Mirror), Sophie Okonedo (The Slap, Criminal Justice), and Ashley Jensen (Extras, Ugly Betty).

“The law often seems like an intellectual exercise”, says Wolstencroft, “But scratch under the surface, and it’s all blood and guts. I wanted to write a thriller set in the legal world that’s as much about those primal feelings as it is about the twists and turns of the case. David Tennant is one of the most accomplished and iconic actors of his generation. I cannot wait to see him in Will's shoes."

Producer, Hilary Bevan Jones, says: “The outstanding cast we have assembled, which is headed by David Tennant, Toby Kebbell, Sophie Okonedo and Ashley Jensen is a testament to David's breathtaking and original script. Directed by Brian Welsh and produced by Paul Frift, I believe The Escape Artist will be one of the most anticipated TV drama events of 2013.”

Executive producer for the BBC, Matthew Read, says: “After the incredible response we got for William Boyd’s Restless, it’s fantastic to be working with Hilary Bevan Jones and Endor again on an original drama that brings together the very best of British talent.”

The Escape Artist is produced by Hilary Bevan Jones (State Of Play, Restless) and Paul Frift (The Best Possible Taste, Restless) and directed by Brian Welsh (Black Mirror, In Our Name, the up-coming Mayday) the executive producers are David Wolstencroft and Matthew Read for the BBC.

The Escape Artist begins on Tuesday 29th October at 9pm on BBC One