'Life' is an American television drama series created by Rand Ravich about a detective who was recently released from prison after serving twelve years of a life sentence for a crime he did not commit.

The series originally premiered in the USA on NBC on 26 September, 2007. Only 11 of the planned 22 episodes were made and aired before the 2007/8 WGA writers strike forced the show into hiatus.

A second season was announced by NBC on 13 February, 2008, which will begin airing in the USA in late 2008.

Life premieres in South Africa on M-Net on Thursday 27 March 2008, at 7.30pm. There are 11 hour-long episodes in the first season.

Synopsis

Damian Lewis stars as complex, offbeat Detective Charlie Crews, who returns to the force after years in prison, thanks to close friend and attorney Constance Griffiths, after serving time in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

He was released from prison after DNA evidence exonerated him for a front-page triple murder for which he served twelve years.

Having lost his job, his wife, nearly all contact with the outside world and even his grip on reality for a time while in jail, he has emerged with head full of Zen (having found a copy of 'The Path to Zen' in the prison yard one day), a fixation with fresh fruit (obviously not easy to come by while in prison), and an obsession with solving the murder that nearly cost him his life.

After successfully suing the city of Los Angeles and the LAPD, he has been reinstated to the police force, and received an undisclosed but substantial settlement.

While in jail, technology, culture, and life passed him by, as evidenced by his unfamiliarity with the now-everyday things like cellphones and instant messaging.

He's been partnered with Dani Reese, who is not in the best of graces with her superiors either, having temporarily lost her way as an undercover narcotics agent.

Their Lieutenant is looking for a reason to get rid of Crews, and as she has a reason to get rid of Reese, is subtly blackmailing her with expulsion to find such a reason.

The cast also includes Sarah Shahi as Charlie's skeptical, demanding partner; Robin Weigart as their hard-hitting lieutenant; and Adam Arkin as Charlie's former cellmate (and now business manager) Ted Early.

Main Cast
Damian Lewis
Sarah Shahi
Adam Arkin
Robin Weigert
Brooke Langton
Brent Sexton