Dominic Cooper to Star in BBC America's New Drama FLEMING

BBC America announced today the channel will co-produce the new drama, FLEMING (Working Title), about the life of Bond creator Ian Fleming. Film star Dominic Cooper will portray the celebrated author in the new original four part drama. Fleming (W/T) from Ecosse Films is a co-production for BBC America and Sky Atlantic and distributed by BBC Worldwide.

Since Casino Royale was published in 1953, the world has been fascinated with James Bond and last year the film franchise celebrated its 50th anniversary. Fleming (W/T) takes a no holds barred look at Ian Fleming, the man behind the James Bond legend whose real life was as exciting, eventful and sexually charged as his famous creation.

Dominic Cooper (The Devil's Double, An Education, The History Boys) will play Ian Fleming, a charming, sophisticated maverick whose dilettanti, pleasure seeking life was turned around by WWII and led to the creation of the best known spy the world has ever known.

About his casting, Dominic Copper said: "Stepping into the shoes of the spy who not only created the enigmatic character of 007, but who fantasized about being him, has to be every actor's dream."

The outbreak of WWII saw a young Fleming as an unsuccessful stockbroker already with a failed army career behind him, living off his rich family while indulging his passions of alcohol, erotic literature and sexual conquests.

But having been forced into Naval Intelligence through family connections, Fleming found a calling. Utilizing his vivid imagination, charm and mischievous sense of humor he was responsible for some of the most outrageous counter intelligence missions against the Nazis, full of danger and intrigue, the experience of which would form the basis of the Bond books.

Set against the permissive society of war-torn London, where champagne (and martinis) were always flowing and beds were always being swapped, Fleming (W/T) explores the early life of the charming, enigmatic creator of 007.

Richard DeCroce, Senior Vice President of Programming, BBC AMERICA, commented: "Not only did Ian Fleming create one of the most iconic characters of all time, he actually lived a life as exciting as 007's. We can't wait to see Dominic Cooper bring his incredible talent to this role."

Douglas Rae, Executive Producer for Ecosse Films, added: "Ian Fleming's story is as dramatic and entertaining as any of the Bond films. I'm thrilled that we are able to tell this extraordinary story on BBC AMERICA."

Fleming (W/T) is directed by Mat Whitecross (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, The Road to Guantanamo) and written by John Brownlow (Sylvia Starring Daniel Craig and Gwyneth Paltrow) and Don MacPherson (Entrapment, starring Sean Connery). The series was commissioned by Anne Mensah, Sky's Head of Drama. Huw Kennair-Jones is Executive Producer for Sky, Ecosse Films' Douglas Rae, Michael Parke and RoBert Bernstein also Executive Produce. Fleming (W/T) is Produced by Sarah Curtis.

Fleming (W/T)will be shot on location in the United Kingdom and Budapest in early 2013.

Fleming (W/T) is the latest addition to BBC AMERICA's groundbreaking drama slate which includes the upcoming co-production Ripper Street, new original series Orphan Black, returning original series COPPER and Dramaville series Spies of Warsaw, Broadchurch, The Hour and Luther.