Noel Clarke accepted a role in new detective thriller Chasing Shadows, because he was really intrigued by the plot.

The actor-and-writer had been focusing on his film career but when he was offered the part of DI Carl Prior in the four-part ITV series opposite Reece Shearsmith he couldn't resist because the missing persons plot was so different to most police dramas.

Chasing Shadows

Clarke, 38, said: "I hadn't done TV in a while and it was really a chance to do something that was slightly different and it was really about the scripts and dealing with missing people, that really drew me to it because it was so different. That interests me the most I think, that anyone could go missing today, someone could snatch you, it would probably be like 11.30 before someone started going, 'They should be here by now', because you could have drinks after work or whatever, and that's a lot of time."

Shearsmith portrays socially-awkward DS Sean Stone whose autistic traits allow him to crack codes and spot patterns to solve the most complex crimes.

The 45-year-old actor was also drawn to the programme because of the fascinating script and his character's unusual back story.

Shearsmith said: "It feels like a drama that would hook you in as an interesting TV experience - not just your normal police procedural ... I do try to pick arresting and different projects, and things that you lean into and you have to work out, and you're surprised by what's coming. So this feels a little bit different."

'Chasing Shadows' - which also stars Alex Kingston - airs tonight (04.09.14) on ITV at 9pm.

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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