Cinemax's STRIKE BACK to Return for Fourth & Final Season, 7/31

When Michael Stonebridge and Damien Scott of the elite British intelligence undercover unit Section 20 set out to crack a missing-persons case in Bangkok, they quickly realize that what seems to be a simple kidnapping is actually the first step in a massive terrorist plot with global implications. Stonebridge, Scott and the rest of their team soon find themselves crisscrossing Asia and Europe as they battle Japanese Yakuza, Russian Mafia, cyberterrorists, elite mercenaries and other deadly forces.

From the tropical beaches of Thailand to the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps, STRIKE BACK returns for its ten-episode, fourth and final season FRIDAY, JULY 31 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on CINEMAX. Philip Winchester ("24: Live Another Day," "Undrafted," the upcoming series "The Player") returns as Michael Stonebridge and Sullivan Stapleton ("300: The Rise of an Empire," "Gangster Squad," the upcoming series "Blindspot") returns as Damien Scott in the high-octane, action-fuelled series.

Shot on location in Hungary and Thailand, the fourth season of STRIKE BACK features nonstop twists and turns, as Scott (who's also dealing with a life-changing personal matter) and Stonebridge find themselves in the eye of an escalating international political storm.

Also returning are Robson Green ("Wire in the Blood," "Grantchester"), Michelle Lukes ("The Lost Legion," "Doctors") and Milauna Jackson ("Aquarius") as Scott and Stonebridge's Section 20 colleagues.

New cast members include Michelle Yeoh ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II"), Dustin Clare ("Spartacus"), Will Yun Lee ("The Wolverine," HBO's "True Blood"), James Wilby ("Gosford Park"), Adrian Paul ("Highlander"), Joseph Gatt (HBO's "Game of Thrones"; CINEMAX's "Banshee"), Christian Antidormi ("Spartacus: War of the Damned") and British mixed martial arts champion and UFC fighter Michael Bisping.

Other new cast members include Michael McElhatton (HBO's "Game of Thrones"), Max Beesley ("Suits"), Tim McInnerny ("Notting Hill"), Leo Gregory ("Tristan and Isolde"), Mark Griffin ("Doctor Who"), Wolf Kahler ("Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"), Andrew Pleavin ("300: Rise of an Empire"), Eliza Hope Bennett ("Nanny McPhee") and Masa Yamaguchi ("The Wolverine").

Season four episodes are directed by Michael J. Bassett ("Power," the upcoming series "The Player" and "Blindspot"), who also serves as co-executive producer; Julian Holmes ("MI-5," "Law & Order: UK"); and Brendan Maher ("The Passing Bells," "Dirt Game"); and written by Bassett, Jack Lothian ("Doc Martin," "Shameless"), James Dormer ("Outcast"), Richard Zajdli ("Tatau," "EastEnders"), Ed Whitmore ("Silent Witness," "Waking the Dead") and Tim Vaughan ("The Last Detective," "Family").

Upcoming episodes:

Episode #31

Debut: FRIDAY, JULY 31 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other CineMax playdates: July 31 (11:00 p.m., midnight) and Aug. 1 (9:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m.), 2 (5:00 p.m.), 3 (8:00 p.m., 12:15 a.m.) and 5 (9:00 p.m., 11:55 p.m.)

On the eve of an historic nuclear-weapons summit with a North Korean delegation, Robin Foster (Tim McInnerny), the British Ambassador to Thailand, learns that his daughter Chloe (Eliza Hope Bennett) has been kidnapped by a ruthless Bangkok gang led by expatriate Ray McQueen (Max Beesley). Racing against the clock to locate her, Scott (Sullivan Stapleton), Stonebridge (Philip Winchester) and their Section 20 team - including boss Phillip Locke (Robson Green) and agents Julie Richmond (Michelle Lukes) and Kim Martinez (Milauna Jackson) - track the thugs through the canals and streets of Thailand. When their efforts stall, Foster ends up following his own instincts, despite the chance that things could get worse before they get better.

Written by Michael J. Bassett, James Dormer & Tim Vaughan; directed by Michael J. Bassett.

Episode #32

Debut: FRIDAY, AUG. 7 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other CineMax playdates: Aug. 7 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 8 (9:00 p.m., 12:30 a.m.), 9 (5:00 p.m.), 10 (8:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.) and 12 (9:00 p.m., 11:45 p.m.)

In the aftermath of the bomb at the British Embassy, Section 20 must find out who Ray McQueen is really working for. They soon discover that they are going up against their deadliest foe ever.

Written by Michael J. Bassett, James Dormer and Tim Vaughan; directed by Michael J. Bassett.

Episode #33

Debut: FRIDAY, AUG. 14 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Other CineMax playdates: Aug. 14 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 15 (9:00 p.m., 12:25 a.m.), 16 (5:00 p.m.), 17 (8:00 p.m., 1:05 a.m.) and 19 (9:00 p.m., midnight)

Section 20 discover that Mei Foster (Michelle Yeoh), the ambassador's wife, is a North Korean agent (real name Li-Na) who is in business with the Yakuza. As the Yakuza launch attacks on Section 20, the team must figure out what the Japanese gangsters are doing for Mei before it is too late.

Written by James Dormer; directed by Julian Holmes.

Episode #34

Debut: FRIDAY, AUG. 21 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Other CineMax playdates: Aug. 21 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 22 (9:00 p.m., 11:45 p.m.), 23 (5:00 p.m.), 24 (8:00 p.m., 12:55 a.m.) and 26 (9:00 p.m., 11:50 p.m.)

After the team discovers the true nature of Li-Na's ROGUE plans, they shift into high gear to stop the deal between the Yakuza and Office 39 from going ahead. But when their mission collides with that of two private military contractors, things get a lot more complicated.

Written by James Dormer; directed by Julian Holmes.

CINEMAX's four seasons of STRIKE BACK are a continuation of the original six-episode series"Strike Back," which aired on Sky TV in 2010, and are based on the novels by Chris Ryan, the pen name of a real-life former British Special Forces operative.

TV Guide said that STRIKE BACK "blazed a new trail in hardcore pulp fiction" and Craveonline.com hailed it as "still the gold standard for TV action." Redeyechicago.com said, "Every season 'Strike Back' raises the stakes," and New York's Daily News observed that season three returned "with a bigger bang than ever." The Huffington Post called it "well made and damn fun."

The show was nominated for an Emmy® (for Main Title Design) and an American Society of Cinematographers Award, and received Best Big Bang Stunts & Effects honors from the Royal Television Society. IGN nominated the series Best TV Action Series two years in a row.

STRIKE BACK is part of the growing lineup of CineMax original series, which this year also features the Emmy® winner "Banshee" and the Peabody Award winner "The Knick."

Season three of STRIKE BACK will be available on Blu-ray and DVD Aug. 4.

STRIKE BACK is a CineMax Presentation in association with British Sky Broadcasting Limited; a Left Bank Pictures Production; executive producer, Andy Harries; co-executive producers, Michael J. Bassett, James Dormer; co-producer: Bill Shephard; producers, Selwyn Roberts (episodes 31-34), Chris Thompson (episodes 35-40); series producers, Michael Casey, Sharon Hughff.

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