David Threlfall and John Simm are to play the pioneers of DNA fingerprinting for police investigations in a new TV drama.
ITV's Code Of A Killer looks at the early days of the technique, which has transformed crime detection over the past 30 years.
Life On Mars actor Simm will play scientist Dr Alec Jeffreys, who developed the method at Leicester University, while Shameless star Threlfall plays Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker, who headed the first major investigation using it.
The drama follows Mr Baker as he investigates the brutal murders of Leicestershire schoolgirls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth between 1983 and 1987.
A teenage boy had confessed to one of the murders, but when evidence from the crime scenes was analysed, it was discovered he was unconnected and his confession was false, and the world's first DNA manhunt was launched.
Executive producer Simon Heath said: "Code Of A Killer is a testament to the pioneering science of Alec Jeffreys and the foresight and determination of David Baker. Together they brought justice for two grieving families and changed the course of criminal investigation forever."
Lorcan Cranitch, Robert Glenister and Siobhan Redmond also star in the drama, which begins filming this week in Leicester and London.
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