Bonekickers

*Bonekickers clucluded in August 2008*

Journey through time with Bonekickers, a highly original six-part drama centred on a team of archaeologists who unearth compelling mysteries from the past that can help solve puzzles in the present.

From Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah, the creators of the hit TV series Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, Bonekickers fuses action-adventure with historical mystery and brings it all up to date with a contemporary story.

Leading the way is Professor Gillian Magwilde (William & Mary's Julie Graham), a feisty Scot who heads up a team of fellow 'diggers'. Helping her to find the historical messages hidden in modern Britain is Dr Ben Ergha (Hustle's Adrian Lester), forensic expert and voice of reason.

Professor Gregory 'Dolly' Parton (Filth's Hugh Bonneville) is the resident walking encyclopedia and, completing the team, is young intern, Viv Davis (Doctor Who's Gugu Mbatha-Raw).

Set in Bath, a city steeped in 3,000 years of history, and based on fact, Bonekickers follows Gillian and the team as they combine their skills to extract human remains, books, weapons and other artifacts, which throw up clues from the past to unlock mysteries in the present.

Throughout her quests, Gillian is forced to pit her wits against her academic nemesis, Professor Mark Horton (The Jury's Michael Maloney). And they're heading for one almighty clash, as Gillian attempts to find the greatest treasure in the history of Humankind.

Adrian Lester reveals why a drama that focuses on archaeology is relevant to today's society.

"Our interest in history is there because we are intrigued by what makes us tick. Living with global warming and so on, we have to learn to look at the bigger picture, not just switch off because we think it's someone else's issue.

"This series reflects the bigger, overarching mysteries down the ages that ultimately tell us more about ourselves."

Join in the hunt - log on to whatsontv.co.uk for previews...