Public Enemies explores the relationship between 28-year-old Eddie, recently released on life licence from prison after serving 10 years, and his probation officer, Paula, returning from suspension following a shocking crime committed by an offender under her supervision.

Tony Marchant says: "Public Enemies looks at the criminal justice system from the points of view of the 'offender' and the 'gatekeeper.'

"It's about disgraced individuals trying to reclaim their lives and their reputations. It's also a forbidden love story. I'm really looking forward to working with Greg Brenman and the team at Tiger Aspect again."

Greg Brenman said: "We are delighted to be working with Tony again. We previously worked together on Kid In The Corner and Recovery. Both are outstanding dramas and proved to be landmark projects for Tiger Aspect Drama. Public Enemies has all the vital ingredients to be another genre-defining and gripping story for audiences craving the best in contemporary drama."

Polly Hill, BBC's Head of Drama, England Indies, says: "I'm thrilled to be working with Tony Marchant and Tiger Aspect on Public Enemies, which promises to be a compelling and important new drama for BBC One.

"The stories of Eddie and Paula are complex, gripping, surprising and incredibly moving, while Tony also writes beautifully and powerfully about the issue of rehabilitation and whether as a society we really believe in it – can a young man who has served his time in prison for murder get his life back, and will the community he returns to let him?"

Commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning, the series will be executive produced for Tiger Aspect by Head of Drama Greg Brenman and Will Gould, with Polly Hill, Head of England Indies at the BBC.

Rebecca de Souza is the script executive. Casting details are still to be confirmed and the drama will shoot in spring 2011

Episode 1

Eddie, 28, is released from prison after serving 10 years for murder. Has he learned his lesson and is he safe to be released into the community – one that doesn’t want him? Probation officer Paula Randall is tasked with managing Eddie as he settles back into life on the outside. But Paula has a chequered history and has only recently come back to work after a high-profile suspension. Is she up to the task?

Feeling all eyes on her, Paula is acutely aware that she mustn’t set a foot wrong in her management of Eddie. But is clamping down on him really the answer? Or will this make an angry young man even angrier?

Episode 2

In episode two, convicted murderer Eddie claims he’s an innocent man. But Paula, his probation officer, doesn’t want to hear it. Eddie’s life is desperately spiralling downwards and the only person that can help him is Paula. With her job on the line, Paula has to decide whose skin she’s going to save; her own or Eddie’s.

Episode 3

In the final episode, Eddie wants to fight his miscarriage of justice and Paula wants to help him -but she’ll lose her job, her relationship and her reputation if she does. When she realises how much she cares for Eddie, will Paula decide it’s all worth risking?

BBC series: Public Enemies

The criminal justice system from both sides of the fence

Starring Anna Friel and Daniel Mays

Anna Friel in character as Paula Randall for BBC series Public Enemies

The DVD for this show will be available after it has aired