BBC snaps up Glenn Close TV drama

Glenn Close (left) faces Ted Danson in court in the show

BBC One has bought the rights to acclaimed US TV drama Damages, starring Fatal Attraction actress Glenn Close.

Close plays a vicious New York lawyer in the legal thriller, a hit for US cable network FX this summer.

The show co-stars ex-Cheers actor Ted Danson as well as The OC's Tate Donovan and Black Hawk Down star Zelijko Ivanek. It will air in 2008.

"BBC One is the perfect place for such a taut and intelligent series," BBC head of acquisition Sue Deeks said.

'Tense fun'

"Think of John Grisham's The Firm crossed with Murder One and you'll get the idea of just how good Damages is."

With creators including Todd A Kessler, a former writer and producer on The Sopranos, it has been described as "tense fun" and "enjoyably complex" by US critics.

Another graduate from the hit mob drama series is Allen Coulter, who has directed the first episode of Damages.

The acquisition follows the success of superhero saga Heroes on BBC Two, which attracted almost five million viewers for its opening episode.