Join BAFTA for a preview of the first of three new feature-length dramas based on the best-selling novels by the late Michael Dibdin.

VENDETTA

Charismatic Italian detective, Aurelio Zen, is called upon by the Ministry to re-investigate a multiple murder. Flamboyant millionaire and Government construction magnate, Oscar Faso and his guests have been shot dead at his lavish villa. Prime suspect and friend of Faso, Renato Favelloni, has 'found God” in prison and is retracting his confession, a move which stands to send shockwaves through Government - so Zen must intervene. All the evidence points towards Favelloni's guilt, but Zen is convinced he is innocent.

Zen heads into the mountains to investigate, reluctant to leave the promise of romance with Tania Moretti, the Chief's new assistant. As he leaves, news breaks of another murder: Judge Bertolini, an anonymous figure in the Italian judicial system is shot dead in his car. What Zen doesn't realise is that this unconnected murder is part of a Vendetta carried out by a man wrongly imprisoned by Bertolini years earlier. More importantly, Zen's involvement in the case means he is next on the hit-list.

As he struggles between doing the right thing and saving his career, Zen must contend with hostile locals, an attempted kidnapping, and a chase through a maze of underground tunnels, while the killers draw ever closer to him.

The Zen series is produced by Left Bank Pictures for the BBC in association with Mediaset, Masterpiece on PBS and ZDF, with additional funding from BBC Worldwide, Ingenious and Lipsync. The films will be released theatrically worldwide and screened on BBC One.

This screening will be following by a Q&A with cast members Rufus Sewell and Caterina Murino, producer Michael Casey and director, John Alexander.