True Blood actress joins Spooks

True Blood actress Lara Pulver is to join the cast of long-running BBC One hit Spooks.

The British star of the cult US vampire series is to appear as a new spy boss, among a number of additions to the cast.

She replaces Beth Bailey - played by Sophia Myles - as the boss of MI5's Section D when the show returns for its 10th series in the autumn.

Her new character is described as "ambitious, hungry and determined to make her mark".

Lara also starred as double-crossing Isabella in BBC One's Robin Hood.

Also joining the series are Ashes To Ashes actor Geoffrey Streatfeild, Deadwood actress Alice Krige and Jonathan Hyde, whose credits include Titanic and The Mummy.

The next series will see the role of Harry Pearce - played by Peter Firth for a decade - as MI5 chief in jeopardy as an old secret comes back to haunt him, according to programme-makers.

Britain will also be seen to increasingly cosy up to Russia as the special relationship with the US becomes ever more fragile.

Simon Crawford Collins, executive producer of programme-maker Kudos, said: "We hope it will be unmissable television."