:Ultimate Force:

Ross Kemp heads an ensemble cast in ULTIMATE FORCE, an explosive prime-time action adventure series for ITV1, following the exploits of a crack SAS troop.

Ross plays Sergeant Henno Garvie, the tough and charismatic leader of Red Troop, who with his men puts his life on the line in the name of his country.

Co-devised by decorated SAS soldier turned best-selling author Chris Ryan (The One That Got Away), ULTIMATE FORCE co-stars Jamie Draven, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Tony Curran, Danny Sapani and Elliot Cowan as members of the elite fighting force.

Alex Reid, Jamie Bamber and Miles Anderson play officers in the 22nd Regiment, while Chris Ryan is also the series adviser and joins the cast in the role of SAS sergeant Johnny Bell.

Packed with dramatic stunts and spectacular special effects, the six-part series offers a no-holds-barred, exciting look at the Special Air Service - a regiment shrouded in secrecy and mystique.

In the special 90-minute opening episode, it's sink or swim when newcomers Jamie Dow and Alex Leonard (Jamie Draven and Sendhil Ramamurthy) face the rigours of the SAS Killing House. The hostage rescue exercise proves all too real when the recruits are called to their first operation - a life or death bank siege.

Missions facing Red Troop in the following one-hour episodes include stopping the release of a lethal anthrax mutation and infiltrating an anti-capitalist group set on assassination.

Henno's reputation is at stake when an operation goes wrong in the complex political jigsaw of Northern Ireland, there's tragedy on a combat survival weekend - and the team find their skills, stamina and close-knit bond pushed to the limit when they are sent to hunt out a suspected war criminal in Bosnia.

ULTIMATE FORCE is made by Bentley Productions, part of the Chrysalis Television Group, which is also behind the top-rating ITV and international hit series Midsomer Murders, sold to more than 130 countries around the world.

Executive Producer Brian True-May says: "Within the bounds of prime-time ITV production, Ultimate Force brings a new look to military drama, with an emphasis on hard-nosed reality. The visuals are stunning and our cast excel as credible members of the SAS."

Adds Brian: "I believe Ross Kemp is perfect for the role of Henno, a tough but fair leader of men, who interprets the acronym of SAS as 'speed, aggression and surprise'."

ULTIMATE FORCE is co-devised and written by Rob Heyland (Have Your Cake and Eat It, Between the Lines), Julian Jones (As If, The Knock), and Len Collin (Soldier Soldier).

It is produced by Peter Norris (Between The Lines, A Young Person’s Guide to Becoming A Rockstar, My Uncle Silas) and the directors are Diarmuid Lawrence (Messiah, Emma, The Hanging Gale, Anglo Saxon Attitudes), Tom Clegg (Bravo Two Zero, Sharpe) and Tim Leandro (London’s Burning, Justice in Wonderland).

A Bentley Production for ITV1.