Lime Pictures has been commissioned by BBC One to produce Apparitions, a new supernatural drama series.

Starring Martin Shaw (Judge John Deed, George Gently), Apparitions was originally produced as a two-part special for transmission in early 2008. However, the two-part drama will now form part of a longer series to be transmitted later this year.

Martin Shaw plays Father Jacob, a priest working to promote candidates for sainthood who becomes drawn in to exorcism as he discovers a dark battle between good and evil – a battle that threatens the future of the human race itself.

Tony Wood, Creative Director of Lime Pictures, says: "Apparitions is an exceptionally unique piece and we are thrilled with the results. To have the show commissioned as a series before the two-part special has even been transmitted is a great vote of confidence from the BBC."

Anne Mensah, BBC Head of Drama, Scotland, adds: "The opportunity to move directly to a series with Apparitions is a real testament to the vision and creativity of the team behind this unique project. The two-part special is all the things you'd want it to be, entertaining and scary but also thought provoking. It's fantastic to be able to develop this concept across a broader canvas."

Written and directed by Joe Ahearne (Doctor Who, This Life), Apparitions is executive produced by Carolyn Reynolds and Tony Wood.

VO/GB2

• BBC Pictures
• BBC Blog Network
• BBC HD
• BBC iPlayer

• BBC Trust
• Freedom of Information
• Future role of PSB
• Programmes

• BARB
• DCMS
• Ofcom
• TV Licensing