Lennie James has joined the starring cast of a new BBC Two police drama series, titled Line Of Duty – described as “a cat-and-mouse thriller which takes a probing look into modern policing.”

James, who most stateside will recognize from parts in AMC’s The Walking Dead and Guy Ritchie’s Snatch, joins Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Neil Morrissey to star in the upcoming series.

James will also co-star in this week’s release, Colombiana, which stars Zoe Saldana.

Here’s a full synopsis:

Following one multi-stranded investigation over five hours, Line Of Duty sees Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) transferred to AC-12, a fictional anti-corruption unit, after a mistaken shooting during a counter-terrorist operation. Alongside Detective Constable Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), they are assigned to lead an investigation into the alleged corruption by a popular and successful officer, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Tate (Lennie James). While Tate cleverly manipulates his unit’s figures, DS Arnott questions whether Tate’s being made a scapegoat for a culture of institutionalised spin, or is guilty of darker corruption?

Creator of the show Jed Mercurio had this to add regarding James’ role and the series’ plot:

“Lennie James is electric as DCI Tony Tate, a complex and elusive anti-hero, and a formidable antagonist for two of the most exciting young talents in British TV – Martin Compston and Vicky McClure – who play the relentless anti-corruption officers on his trail. Twists and turns are added by a star-studded cast including Gina McKee, Neil Morrissey, Adrian Dunbar, Kate Ashfield, Craig Parkinson and Paul Higgins.“

Hmmm… sounds like he figures quite prominently into the narrative, and I’ll be watching for this to cross over.

Line Of Duty started filming this week in Birmingham and will air in 2012.

Maybe it’ll be added to the Idris Elba-hosted Dramaville hour on BBC America.