There are only four female commanders in the Metropolitan Police and only one of them specialises in murder. The Commander stars Amanda Burton as Commander Clare Blake, who is the Commander of the homicide devision, who's team consists of the sinister D.C.I. Hedges, played by Matthew Marsh, who is against her from the beginning. The Commander was created by Lynda La Plante, who has created other police dramas, such as Prime Suspect and Trial and Retribution. It is made by her production company La Plante Productions and broadcast on the ITV network. The role was created especially for Amanda Burton after La Plante saw her in an episode of Silent Witness.