Dominic West, Emily Watson topline serial-killer drama

In the wake of Idris Elba's success returning to the U.K. for "Luther" — which later found a Stateside home on BBC America — another alum of "The Wire" is taking a similar route, in an even darker role.

Dominic West will portray real-life serial killer Fred West (yep, same last name) in "Appropriate Adult," a new drama for ITV that focuses on how Fred West and his wife Rosemary West (played by Monica Dolan) were brought to justice.

Also co-starring is Emily Watson, who plays Janet Leach, a voluntary worker who sat in on his police interviews.

Neil McKay is writing, with Julian Jarrold directing, Jeff Pope exec producing and Lisa Gilchrist producing.

“Our intention is to produce a sober and thought-provoking drama based on a true story," Pope said. "We have developed the script over the past three years, and it provides a unique insight into the police investigation which led to the conviction of Fred and Rose West and the crucial role Janet Leach played as the ‘appropriate adult.’”

Production on two 90-minute episodes begins in February.  "Appropriate Adult" follows two other dramatizations of notorious murder cases (BAFTA-winning "See No Evil: The Moors Murders" and "This is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper") produced by ITV Studios and written by McKay.