Silver Spring, MD; September 16, 2008 — Available to U.S. audiences for the first time, Acorn Media announces the November 11, 2008 U.S. debut of The Commander, Set 1, offering four compelling thrillers with gritty stories, intricate plot twists, and a strong, complex female lead.

Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect) is the reigning expert on ambitious, reckless female cops. Her gritty new crime drama introduces Clare Blake, the steely head of the elite Murder Review Team and the highest-ranking woman officer in New Scotland Yard. Portrayed by Amanda Burton (Silent Witness), she’s sexy, driven, and prone to taking risks. Letting her personal life bleed into her career, she defies convention, risks her reputation, and always gets too close to her cases. Each misstep she makes pleases DCI Hedges, a shifty, self-interested colleague with a grudge to settle. And he’s not the only person who wants to bring her down.

The strong supporting cast includes Matthew Marsh (MI-5) as DCI Hedges and Poppy Miller (Attachments) as Blake’s smart young protégé. Guest stars in Set 1 include Hugh Bonneville (Iris), David Patrick O’Hara (Braveheart), Saskia Reeves (Dune), Yorick van Wageningen (The New World), and Nickolas Grace (Robin of Sherwood).

The Commander, Set 1 includes the first four episodes (Entrapment, Virus, Blackdog, and Blacklight), which are approximately 140 minutes each. The series premiered in the U.K. in February 2003 and new episodes are still in production.

Special Features: Interview with star Amanda Burton, character retrospective with creator Lynda La Plante, supporting cast featurette, and biographies of Amanda Burton and Lynda La Plante.

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.