The co-production with CANAL+ will begin production in early 2013 and air later this year. Primarily set in Folkestone and Calais, the ten-part series will be bilingual – a first in broadcasting for both the UK and France.

> Order The Tunnel on DVD on Amazon.

Adapted by an Anglo-French writing team led by Ben Richards (Spooks, Outcasts), The Tunnel is based on the format of The Bridge (created by Hans Rosenfeldt) but set against the backdrop of Europe in crisis.

> Buy Season 1 of The Bridge on DVD on Amazon.

The official synopsis reads: “When a prominent French politician is found dead on the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck and Elise Wassermann are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. However, the case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership.  As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, Karl and Elise are drawn deeper into his increasingly personal agenda.”

Sky Atlantic Director Elaine Pyke commented: “I’m delighted to announce The Tunnel as part of Sky Atlantic HD’s burgeoning drama slate. Following Hit & Miss and Falcon, we are establishing Sky Atlantic as the home of great British drama as well as continuing to have the best of the US.”

Thierry Lachkar, C.E.O, Shine France added: “The Tunnel is an ambitious TV series which is steeped in local and European realism, dealing with universal subjects.”

Are you looking forward to The Tunnel? Let us know below…