FILMING has begun in York on a new six-part ITV series by the team behind Spooks and Life On Mars.

Eternal Law, which will be screened next year, is a bittersweet drama which focuses on two York-based lawyers, Zak and Tom, who are angels sent to earth to help the community and try to understand the human condition.

Samuel West, who has previously starred in Van Helsing, Iris and Any Human Heart, has been cast to play Zak Gist while Ukweli Roach (Streetdance 3D, Romeo And Juliet) will play Tom Greening.

They will deal with gritty, real-life situations as they attempt to prompt humans to understand the consequences of their actions.

However, things do not always go according to plan; particularly when they come up against an old adversary, played by Tobias Menzies (Rome, Neverland).

Hattie Morahan (Sense And Sensibility, The Golden Compass, Lark Rise To Candleford) plays Hannah, the beautiful barrister who tempts Zak to stray from the right path.

Zak and Tom are kept in line on Earth by the enigmatic and glamorous Mrs Sheringham, played by Orla Brady (Fringe, Mistresses), Filming will be based at the Purey Cust building, in the shadow of York Minster, where part of the ground and first floor will be used as a film set with associated office accommodation.

Filming is expected to continue for two months. Eternal Law has been written by Ashley Pharoah and Matthew Graham who penned the award- winning Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes.

The series will be a joint production by their production company, Monastic Productions, and Kudos Film and Television, whose previous credits also include Spooks, Hustle and Law & Order: UK.

Sally Haynes, ITV’s controller of drama commissioning, said: “Eternal Law is a unique and original drama from two of the country’s best and most imaginative writers.

“They have created two brilliant characters in Zak and Tom and I’m delighted we’re shooting this in the spectacular city of York”