SILVER SPRING, MD; January 3, 2008 —Acorn Media announces the February 26, 2008 DVD debut of Rough Diamond, a new light-hearted crime caper series starring beloved British actor Sir David Jason as London’s most lovable master thief. Voted Britain’s most popular actor three times in recent years by the National Television Awards, Jason (A Touch of Frost, Only Fools and Horses, Porterhouse Blue) brings his considerable charm to this playful drama series that is available to U.S. audiences for the first time.

Aging criminal mastermind Des simply won’t go gentle into that good night. Donning all manner of disguises, he can fool the authorities—and his marks—into thinking he’s just another harmless old geezer. Behind his spectacles, though, Des always has his eye out for the next big score in diamonds, gold, or piles of cold cash. His intricately planned heists, including robbing Buckingham Palace, prove so daring and so outrageous that he always gets his target. And as for Des’s victims—well, they get what they deserve.

Whether he masquerades as a gimpy prison inmate, a button-down umbrella magnate, or a bookish security consultant, Jason imbues Des with irresistible charm and deliciously sly wit. These quirky capers will keep you guessing and chuckling right up to end, when Des always has the last laugh.

The pilot episode was one of Britain’s top five most-watched dramas of 2005. After its success, three more episodes were produced and aired in 2007. The series aired in the U.K. under the title Diamond Geezer.

Jason is a winner of three BAFTAs and three Best Actor nods from the British Comedy Awards, as well as their lifetime achievement award. Jason starred in the most popular sitcom (Only Fools and Horses) and as the most popular TV detective (DI Jack Frost, A Touch of Frost), as voted by the British public. Guest stars include Simon Williams (Upstairs, Downstairs), Don Warrington (Rising Damp, Manchild), and Jenny Agutter (Logan’s Run, MI-5).

Special Features: Text interviews with cast members and cast filmographies.

Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media distributes distinctive home video releases to the North American market with a special focus on the best of British television. Acorn’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn Media at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com.