Eight new episodes will begin filming in London next month and will air on ITV in 2014.

Series 7 aired earlier this year and achieved an average audience of 5.4 million viewers, with a share of 21.3% of the available audience, rising from the previous series.

Cast members Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Bradley Walsh, Georgia Taylor (Casualty), Paterson Joseph (Peep Show) and Dominic Rowan will all return for Series 8, joined by Ben Bailey Smith (Hunted) as new colleague DS Joe Hawkins.

ITV’s Head of Drama Series, Jane Hudson, commented: “ITV is delighted to see the return of Law & Order: UK. It’s a much loved drama amongst our audience and they certainly won’t be disappointed by what’s in store for them this series.”

Are you looking forward to Series 8? Let us know below…

> Buy the Series 1-4 boxset on Amazon.

Watch the Series 5 trailer…