More cast announced for Sky Atlantic’s new series Guerrilla

Babou Ceesay to play the male lead in new drama Guerrilla. Daniel Mays, Zawe Ashton and Rory Kinnear also join cast

Daniel Mays and Zawe Ashton (pictured) join Idris Elba in Sky Atlantic's latest original series Guerrilla.

The Laurence Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear will also star in the six-part drama thriller.

Line of Duty star Daniel Mays and Kinnear will play the role of Special Branch police officers Pence and Cullen. Ashton will play the character Omega, a prominent leader within the black community.

daniel mays, line of duty — (Image credit: BBC/World Productions/Steffan Hi)

Daniel Mays starred in BBC1's Line of Duty

Getting On's Babou Ceesay takes the lead role of Marcus, working alongside Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto, who will play his partner Jas.

Guerrilla is a story about two politically active lovers turned hardened militants who set out on a journey of social and political activism to gain rights for the black community.

Set in 1970s London, their relationship is severely tested when they target the Black Power Desk, a real-life, secretive counter-intelligence unit within Special Branch dedicated to extinguishing black activism.

Oscar-winning Twelve years a Slave writer John Ridley is the creator of the new series, while Golden Globe winner Elba co-stars and executive produces.

Ridley said: “I have wanted to tell this story for many years and I feel a great sense of responsibility towards the people and era that we are portraying."

"We have been given a rare opportunity to explore the kind of narrative that we do not usually see on television, and with the kinds of artisans who are not typically represented. I am extremely grateful and inspired by the brilliant and dedicated actors who have recently joined our team.”

Filming for the six-part drama thriller begins in London this week and Guerilla will screen on Sky Atlantic and US network Showtime next year.