Law & Order: UK returns for an exciting seven-part series in January 2012 with a new addition; actor Paul Nichols will be joining the cast.

Paul (Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Harley Street) will play DS Sam Casey, a headstrong young officer with a strong sense of justice brought in to investigate the shooting of DS Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber).

The new series also sees the police and legal teams facing a shocking crime captured on video, up against the clock in the search for a hostage, and exposing a tragic, medical cover-up.

Cases are reopened, the past threatens to catch up with Ronnie (Walsh) and careers are on the line...

The new series starts on Friday 6th January at 9pm on ITV1.