Rufus Sewell (Middlemarch, The Pillars Of The Earth, The Eleventh Hour) stars as the fictional Italian detective Aurelio Zen in three films for BBC One. Italian actress Caterina Murino stars as Zen's love interest, Tania Moretti, alongside an international cast including Ben Miles, Stanley Townsend, Catherine Spaak and Francesco Quinn.

Set in and around Rome, and based on the best-selling novels by the late Michael Dibdin, the series features many of the combined attractions of Italy and the Dibdin novels – thrilling investigations, fun, warmth and beautiful people.

Episode 1 - Vendetta

In Vendetta, 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.

Episode 2 - Cabal

The body of Umberto Ruspanti, a member of one of Rome's most prominent aristocratic families, is found underneath a bridge in the early hours of the morning, in the second film about fictional Italian detective Aurelio Zen – played by Rufus Sewell – based on the best-selling novels by the late Michael Dibdin.

Zen is assigned the case by the Ministry to ensure a swift conclusion of suicide but he quickly suspects murder. As things become more suspicious, Zen is alerted to the existence of the Cabal, a powerful, secret organisation which has members deep within various Italian institutes. It seems Ruspanti's attempts to sell information on the Cabal may have led to his demise.

While attempting to develop his relationship with beautiful colleague Tania, Zen is courted by powerful prosecutor Nadia Pirlo, whose advances mask her own desire to expose the Cabal – if it really exists. As Zen and Tania's romance is tested by her imminent divorce, their boss, the over-stressed Chief of Police Leo Moscati, is pushed to his limit and suffers a heart attack.

Several members of the department have their eyes on this coveted position, but Zen finds his prospects of advancement caught up in the conflicting interests of the police, the Ministry and his own conscience. It is up to Zen to break the Cabal and discover what really happened to Ruspanti. But, in doing so, he puts his own life, and those around him, in danger.

Episode 3 - Rat King

When wealthy industrialist and political party funder Ruggerio Miletti is kidnapped, the Italian Ministry turn to their favourite detective, Aurelio Zen, to get Miletti back alive at any cost – financial or personal – in the final film about the fictional Italian detective based on the novels of Michael Dibdin.

Miletti's lawyer is murdered during an illegal ransom payment, and Zen soon discovers that the kidnappers are only part of his problem. He must contend with the Milettis, who are no ordinary family. Nothing is as it seems: considering themselves above the law, spoilt daughter Cinzia, her ruthless husband Carlo, and overlooked younger brother Silvio are scheming to gain control of the family company.

Things are no better in the office, with new Chief of Police Heuber imposing a strict moral code of conduct in the workplace, just as Zen and Tania's relationship is blossoming. Caught up in the political minefield both inside and outside the Miletti family, Zen's life, career and reputation are on the line. Not even his admirer, powerful prosecutor Nadia Pirlo, can help him through this dilemma. Paired with rival detective Vincenzo Fabri, who is plotting to overthrow Heuber, Zen must decide whether to play Fabri's game or uncover the truth.

BBC drama series - Zen starring Rufus Sewell

Stories about the Italian detective Aurelio Zen investigating crime in Rome

Starring Rufus Sewell and Caterina Murino

Photograph of Caterina Murino and Rufus Sewell as Tania Moretti and Aurelio Zen