Amazon has released the first official promotional pic of David Threlfall in the new season of Ripper Street.

The Shameless actor has joined the cast of the period crime drama as a new regular character for Season 4, which began filming in Dublin this month.

Threlfall will play Abel Croker, who is described as a “wharfinger, villain and keeper of other men’s secrets”.

Resurrected by Amazon last year after it was axed by BBC One, Ripper Street was recommissioned for two new seasons in May.

Original regulars Matthew MacFadyen, Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg will all be back, alongside MyAnna Buring and Charlene McKenna.

Other new cast members in Season 4 will include Jonas Armstrong (Robin Hood), David Warner (The Omen), Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter) and Killian Scott (Calvary).

Season 3 is currently airing on Friday nights on BBC One.

> Order Season 3 on DVD on Amazon.

Season 4 will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Instant Video and is expected to air on BBC One at a later date.

Are you looking forward to Season 4? Let us know below…