Silver Spring, MD — One part art caper, one part slow-burn romance, Under the Hammer arrives on DVD from Acorn Media on June 21, 2011, offering a revealing glimpse into a high-stakes art world that celebrates profit nearly as much as artistic genius. Written by beloved author John Mortimer (Rumpole of the Bailey) and starring Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave), Jan Francis (Just Good Friends), and Michael Siberry (The Grand), this tightly-plotted series intrigues with secrets and seduction, seen through the lens of a London auction house. Broadcast on ITV in 1994, the series is available to U.S. audiences for the first time with this DVD debut. The 2-disc set includes all seven episodes ($49.99, www.AcornOnline.com).

Top-notch guest stars include John Gielgud (Arthur), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island, Match Point, 30 Rock), Rosemary Harris (Spider-Man), Hermione Norris (Cold Feet), and Ian Carmichael (The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries).

Ben Glazier (Richard Wilson) and Maggie Perowne (Jan Francis) head the paintings department at Klinsky’s, a well-regarded auction house. Ben can’t resist a good mystery, whether it’s identifying a potential Titian masterpiece, tracking down a lost Dickens manuscript, or pondering how to catch Maggie’s attention. Maggie, meanwhile, dabbles in her own workplace intrigue—in the form of dashing-yet-dodgy wine expert Nick Roper (Michael Siberry).

Ben and Maggie share a profound passion for the art they put under the hammer, even if the job means contending with professional competition, a cash-mad boss, and the ever-present threat of fraud.

Episodes: The Fatal Attribution, Wonders in the Deep, The Virgin of Vitebsk, The Jolly Joker, After Titian, The Specter at the Feast, Treasure Trove

Street Date: June 21, 2011
SRP: $49.99
DVD 2-Disc Set: Approx. 357 min. – 7 episodes - British drama - SDH subtitles
Bonus: Biography of John Mortimer 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.

Under the Hammer is distributed by ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment; one of the world’s leading international TV distribution, home-entertainment and merchandising & licensing businesses.