Brit Drama Occupation Premieres

Occupation is a powerful drama concerning the lives of three British soldiers caught physically and emotionally in the cross-fire of the Iraq war.

Described by one critic as “one of the very best British dramas of the decade,” it’s written by Peter Bowker, writer of the Golden Globe nominated Viva Blackpool and produced by the makers of Life on Mars and MI-5. Having participated in the invasion, and helped fly a critically injured child from Basra to a UK hospital, three soldiers find it impossible to slot back into civilian life.

Driven by very different motives – each heads back to Basra. Sergeant Mike Swift (James Nesbitt, Five Minutes of Heaven, Jekyll) returns for the love of an Iraqi doctor, Aliyah (Lubna Azabal). Corporal Danny Peterson (Stephen Graham, Public Enemies, This Is England) returns for money, setting up a private security firm. Lance Corporal Lee Hibbs (Warren Brown, Shameless) returns because he passionately believes in the mission to rebuild the country and help the Iraqi people - and the mission is nowhere near accomplished.

Amid growing sectarian conflict, and a boom time fueled by billions U.S. dollars, their dreams come to define not just their lives but also the occupation itself. Occupation unveils a tale of wasted billions, lost lives, corporate greed, and a war that has left many questions unanswered.

Occupation, Part One premieres Sunday, October 18, 8 p.m. ET/PT and Part Two premieres Sunday, October 18, 10 p.m. ET/PT