"FLEMING: THE MAN WHO WOULD BE BOND" PREMIERES JANUARY 29 ON BBC AMERICA'S DRAMAVILLE

New original miniseries reveals the man behind Bond - starring Dominic Cooper as the creator of 007

New York - December 18, 2013 - There's no questioning the iconic status of the man they call 007, but before his thrilling adventures hit the page or screen, they were experienced first-hand by author-to-be, Ian Fleming. Stylish and explosive - BBC AMERICA's Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond tells the fascinating story of the man whose own life and escapades were the inspiration for one of the most iconic figures in modern literature - James Bond. The new original four-part drama stars Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) as Fleming, a charming and sophisticated maverick, whose pleasure-seeking life was turned around by WWII and led to the creation of the greatest spy the world has ever known. Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond premieres Wednesday, January 29, 10:00pm ET/PT as part of BBC AMERICA's Dramaville.

Set at the outbreak of WWII - mischievous playboy Ian Fleming is untroubled by the specter of impending war - chasing women, collecting rare books and living off his family fortune. Forever in the shadow of his brother Peter (Rupert Evans, World Without End), and an eternal disappointment to his formidable mother Eve (Lesley Manville, Maleficent), Fleming dreams of becoming the 'ultimate' man - a hero, a lover, a brute and the one who always gets the girl. He is finally given some direction in his life when he's recruited by the Director of Naval Intelligence, Admiral John Godfrey (Samuel West, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell), to help in the effort against the Nazis. Suddenly, Fleming finds his chance to shine and prove his worth.

At first, Fleming's inclined to treat his new job in Naval Intelligence as a big adventure. But as he encounters the shocking consequences and challenges of war, he learns where his talents lie. With the somewhat skeptical support of tough-cookie Lieutenant Monday (Anna Chancellor, The Hour), Fleming's ability to spin a tale makes him a perfect fit for espionage and quickly takes him from pushing paper to stealing secrets.

From the director of the BAFTA(R)-nominated Road to Guantanamo, Mat Whitecross, Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond captures both the opulence of high society London and the suspense and intrigue behind enemy lines. Through mind-blowing escapades at home and abroad, Fleming risks his life. At the same time, the stakes increase as Fleming faces his own inner demons, battling to breakdown the walls within and open himself to love. His chance encounter with the captivating baroness, Ann O'Neill (Lara Pulver, Sherlock), becomes a passionate affair that shapes both their lives. While Bond fans will spot many a nod to the legendary agent, the series is ultimately a gripping account of a playboy spy and the woman who won his heart.

Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond is the latest title to join BBC AMERICA's Dramaville, the home of groundbreaking British drama. The Dramaville slate includes the channel's hit series Broadchurch, Golden Globe(R)-winning mini-series Luther, Emmy(R) Award-winning mini-series The Hour, and the Golden Globe(R) nominated Burton & Taylor.

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CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS

Ian Fleming Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Devil's Double)
Ann O'Neil Laura Pulver (Sherlock, True Blood)
Muriel Wright Annabelle Wallis (Peaky Blinders, The Tudors)
Eve Fleming Lesley Manville (Maleficent, Theory of Everything)
Lieutenant Monday Anna Chancellor (The Hour, How I Live Now)
Admiral John Godfrey Samuel West (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Mr. Selfridge)
Peter Fleming Rupert Evans (World Without End, Hellboy)
Loelia Camilla Rutherford (The Crimson Petal and the White, Gosford Park)

Writers John Brownlow
Don Macpherson

Director Mat Whitecross

Executive Producer Douglas Rae
Michael Parke
Robert Bernstein

Producer Sarah Curtis

Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond from Ecosse Films is a BBC AMERICA and Sky Atlantic co-production, distributed by BBC Worldwide.

BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including two Emmy(R) Awards, five Golden Globes(R) and eleven Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable's most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in 80 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online,www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist.