On DVD May 3 - Identity with Keeley Hawes, currently being remade by ABC, and Murdoch Mysteries Blu-ray debut

IDENTITY

Starring Keeley Hawes (Upstairs, Downstairs, Ashes to Ashes) and Aidan Gillen (The Wire); North American DVD Debut on May 3, 2011

American version starring Angela Bassett and Wentworth Miller in development at ABC

“Superlative. Watch it.” —The Observer
“Stylish, gripping and well acted”—The Sun

Slick British crime series delves into the shadowy world of identity theft; Available to U.S. audiences for the first time

Silver Spring, MD — ITV Studios’ slick, high-tech crime procedural Identity makes its highly anticipated North American debut from Acorn Media on May 3, 2011 on DVD. Keeley Hawes (Upstairs, Downstairs revival, Ashes to Ashes, MI-5) and Aidan Gillen (The Wire, Queer as Folk UK) star in this British series about an elite police team charged with investigating the high-stakes world of identity theft.  Broadcast on ITV in the U.K. in July 2010 and available to U.S. audiences for the first time, Identity features realistic plots and intelligent writing and offers a riveting glimpse into one of the 21st century’s most ubiquitous crimes. The DVD 2-Disc Set includes six episodes, as well as text interviews with the cast, and cast filmographies ($39.99, www.AcornOnline.com). An American remake is currently in development at ABC starring Angela Bassett (ER) and Wentworth Miller (Prison Break).

Uncovering the dark side of reinvention, Identity follows an elite police unit tracking identity thieves and their unwitting victims. DSI Martha Lawson (Keeley Hawes) assembles a crack team of investigators, betting her reputation on their results. Cavalier DI John Bloom (Aidan Gillen) has undercover experience and knows exactly what it’s like to live a lie. Ambitious DS Anthony Wareing (Shaun Parkes, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) clashes with Bloom about his questionable past and even more questionable methods. Rounding out the group are cocksure DC José Rodriguez (Elyes Gabel, Casualty) and IT expert Tessa Stein (Holly Aird, Waking the Dead).

The cases reveal the many reasons for adopting a new persona, from simple greed to far more sinister motives. Solid detective work and high-tech investigative tools unmask the criminals but discord within the team may derail the operation.

Episodes:

Second Life, Chelsea Girl, Pariah, Reparation, Somewhere They Can’t Find Me, and Tomorrow Comes Early

Street: May 3, 2011               SRP: $39.99

DVD 2-Disc Set: 6 episodes - Approx. 279 min.
British mystery
SDH subtitles

Bonus Features: text interviews with the cast and cast filmographies

Contains violence and graphic images



MURDOCH MYSTERIES: SEASON 3

Forensic Sleuthing in the Age of Invention; Third season of the acclaimed period drama debuts on Blu-ray and DVD May 3, 2011

“Excellent adventure” —Midwest Book Review
“Smart, fast-paced fun” —The Globe and Mail
“As much a wild science lesson as it is a classic mystery”—The Globe and Mail
“Truly outstanding” – The Fort Bend/Southwest Star
“Yannick Bisson is perfect as Murdoch.” —Deseret News
“Mesmerizing” —The Sun

Silver Spring, MD —Combining the period appeal of Sherlock Holmes with the forensic fascination of CSI, Murdoch Mysteries, Season 3, debuts on Blu-ray and DVD from Acorn Media on May 3, 2011. This set marks the first Blu-ray release of the series. Based on the characters from award-winning author Maureen Jennings’ Detective Murdoch novels, the acclaimed Canadian series has garnered 25 Gemini® nominations to its credit, including Best Writing, Best Actor and Best Original Score. Set in Victorian-era Toronto, this engrossing and charming series follows Detective Murdoch as he uses revolutionary forensic techniques to solve the city’s most mystifying crimes. Distributed by ITV Studios Global Entertainment and available to U.S. audiences for the first time, the 4-volume DVD boxed set and 3-Disc Blu-ray set includes all 13 episodes from season three, plus a behind-the-scenes featurette and more ($59.99/$69.99, www.AcornOnline.com). Season 1 is currently airing on public television via APT and a fourth season has already been produced.    

This sharp, sophisticated mystery series features Yannick Bisson (Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye) as William Murdoch, a Toronto police detective at the cutting edge of Victorian science. Together with a forward-thinking pathologist (Gemini® winner Hélène Joy, Durham County), he applies revolutionary criminology techniques to crack the toughest cases. This season finds Murdoch making the acquaintance of H.G. Wells, teaming up a second time with Nikola Tesla, investigating art forgery, and using the fledgling science of psychology to out the era’s most elusive murderers.

The series co-stars Thomas Craig (Where the Heart Is) and Jonny Harris (Hatching, Matching & Dispatching) with guest stars including Patrick McKenna (The Red Green Show), Lisa Faulkner (Murder in Suburbia), Ashley Leggat (Life with Derek), Sarah Gadon (Being Erica, Happy Town), Dmitry Chepovetsky (ReGenesis), and Peter Keleghan (The Newsroom).

Season 3 debuted in Canada on CityTV in February 2010 and a fourth season has already been produced.  Acorn Media previously released Season 1 in June 2009 and Season 2 in May 2010 as 4-Vol. DVD Boxed Sets ($59.99).

Murdoch Mysteries is based on the characters from Maureen Jennings’ Detective Murdoch novels. The first in her Murdoch series, Except for Dying, was released in 1997; followed by six more novels in the series. Jennings is a creative consultant on the television series. Series website: www.murdochmysteries.com

Special Features: Behind-the-scenes featurette (9 min.), and Episode 13 alternate ending

Street: May 3, 2011                          
13 episodes - Approx. 624 min., plus bonus
SDH subtitles

Blu-ray 3-Disc Set (SRP: $69.99) / DVD 4-Vol. Boxed Set (SRP: $59.99)