Jenny Agutter is one of the stars of Spooks

Producer Jane Featherstone hopes the series will be a big hit.

She said: "Spooks is a topical and edgy drama about passion, jeopardy and the intrigue of people who have to lie for a living - and who can never tell the truth to their loved ones about what it is that they do.

"Our 'spooks' are heroic in the way that only ordinary people doing ordinary things can be.

"They are people like you and me, but they are dealing with a pro-life activist one week, a racist terrorist conspiracy the next, and an embassy siege the week after that."

Spooks also features comedian Hugh Laurie and Anthony Head from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Gareth Neame, head of independent drama commissioning for the BBC, said the series is very topical.

Anthony Head joins the Spooks cast

He said: "In a world where the role of the intelligence services and secret agents is being thrown into greater relief, Spooks is a timely new drama from a first-class creative team and a superb cast."

The BBC recently announced a �275m line-up for its spring and summer schedule.

The latest line-up of programmes will include new dramas and comedies, as well as Queen And Country - the "definitive history" of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

The much-loved comedy drama, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, is also returning to TV screens after a 16-year absence.