'Strike Back' First Episode Sneak Peek: First Six Minutes Of New Cinemax Show (VIDEO)

When a resourceful international terrorist group plots an attack, a maverick former U.S. Special Forces operative ("Animal Kingdom‘s" Sullivan Stapleton) joins forces with a stealth British military unit to stop them in the ten-episode action series "Strike Back," airing on Cinemax--a network more known for its adult programing than its original prime-time dramas.

But it looks like Cinemax is ready to join the prime-time game with its new fast-paced action drama "Strike Back." Think of it as a British take on "24"--but with more sex and violence.

The series follows Section 20, an elite military black ops unit within the British government that focuses on high-risk, top-priority targets--including terrorists. When one of their own is captured and held hostage, the group enlists the help of Damien Scott (Stapleton), a charismatic former Delta Force operative who is familiar with the terrorists. However, his cocky style is often at odds with the more formal team, especially the by-the-book Sgt. Michael Stonebridge ("Crusoe's" Philip Winchester). Team leader Col. Eleanor Grant ("Holby City's" Amanda Mealing) is a smart, tough military leader who is skilled with a gun and diplomacy, but she also knows when to break a rule or two.

In this sneak peek, Section 20 is on the hunt for Stapleton’s Damien Scott, and we learn that this elite military force doesn't always play by the books. Now that's a shocker.

"Strike Back" premiers Friday, August 12 at 10 p.m. EST on Cinemax.

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