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NEW ACTION DRAMA ON BBC AMERICA

By Donna J. Plesh

Leave it to our pals across the pond, the Brits, to come along with an action/adventure drama for viewers hungry for something new to watch this summer. First up is "Red Cap," premieiring June 30 on BBC America. It's about cases handled by the British military's elite Special Investigation Branch
(SIB), which investigates crimes committed by, or against, members of the British Army stationed throughout the world. Our hero -- rather our heroine -- is new team member Sgt. Jo McDonagh, played by Tamzin Outhwaite (who played the glamourous night club owner Mel Owen on "EastEnders").
There's little glamour -- and little makeup -- for Outhwaite in this role. Her Jo McDonagh is determined to prove herself worthy of her promotion to the elite unit which, not surprisingly, is pretty much an all boys club. Ten minutes into the premiere, McDonagh's physical mettle is tested when she gets punched in the mouth by a burly soldier she's searching for.
Down but not out, she gives as good as she gets, and manages to land a few punches before the soldier gets away. Filmed on location in the United Kingdom and Germany, the "Red Cap"
(the title comes from the color of the beret the soldiers wear in uniform) team's first case involves the death of the wife of a British officer stationed in Germany. The woman also happens to be the daughter of a high-ranking German general. McDonagh's rather unorthodox investigative approach ruffles
the feathers of her fellow SIB team members as well as the unit's German counterparts. One is quickly made aware that the Germans and the Brits don't always see eye-to-eye when it comes to methods of investigation involving citizens of both countries. Matters aren't helped when the SIB investigation opens up a can of worms including blackmail, secrets, and adulterous affairs. As McDonagh
tries to piece together the puzzle about the life of the dead woman, she encounters problems with her fellow team members, particularly her sometimes SIB partner Sgt. Roper (James Thornton) who isn't pleased with her being in the unit. She also has an often testy relationship with the unit's boss,
Sgt.Major Burns (Douglas Hodge) who doesn't seem to want her around -- until her investigation comes up with some solid clues in the case.
Well-written and well-acted, particularly by Outhwaite, "Red Cap" is a must-see series.
"Red Cap" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on BBC America beginning June 30.

Donna J. Plesh is a freelance writer based in Southern California.

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