Futuristic crime thriller from Warner Bros. International Television Distribution and executive producers J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman
London - 27 March 2014
Watch, UKTV's flagship pay entertainment channel, has captured the British premiere of US futuristic thriller Almost Human via a deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD). The series from executive producers J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman stars Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, Minka Kelly, Mackenzie Crook, Michael Irby and Lili Taylor.
The news follows the channel's recent acquisition of the highly-anticipated drama Believe - also from WBITD and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions, as well as acclaimed filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón - which airs on Watch tonight.
Set 35 years in the future, Almost Human (13x60'), acquired from WBITD, features Detective John Kennex, played by Urban (Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings), who is the sole survivor of a devastating police ambush. When he wakes from a 17-month coma he can't remember much - except that his partner was killed, he lost one of his legs and he is now outfitted with a highly sophisticated synthetic appendage.
Still suffering from psychological trauma, John returns to work at the behest of longtime ally Captain Sandra Maldonado (Taylor), where he is partnered with Dorian (Ealy - The Good Wife), a discontinued android with unexpected emotional responses. As he adjusts to working with his new synthetic partner, John must also learn to get along with his new colleagues, including technician Rudy Lom (played by British star Crook - The Office), human intelligence analyst Detective Valerie Stahl (Kelly) and the distrustful Detective Richard Paul (Irby). Together John and Dorian fight crime in a dangerous, futuristic landscape, while the mystery surrounding John's attack and the larger mythology of this new world starts to unfold.
Watch General Manager, Steve Hornsey commented
The combination of Almost Human's unique and compelling twist on a police procedural drama and J.J. Abrams' stamp of creative quality makes this show the perfect fit for Watch. It also reinforces our commitment to premiering fresh and exciting US content to UK viewers, ahead of other British broadcasters.
The deal with WBITD for Almost Human was brokered by UKTV'S Director of Programme Acquisitions Catherine Mackin.
Mackin added
We are delighted to be extending our ongoing relationship with Warner Bros. and bringing more high quality premiere content to British audiences first. Almost Human is a multi-layered gripping drama and it perfectly complements our upcoming supernatural drama Believe, from award-winning director Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions.
Jeffrey Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution said,
We believe that Almost Human will be a terrific addition to watch's programming line-up. We look forward to the series finding a loyal following in the U.K.
Created by J.H. Wyman, Almost Human is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television and is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution. Abrams, Wyman and Bryan Burk (Fringe, Lost, Revolution) serve as executive producers, while Kathy Lingg (Person of Interest, Revolution) and Reid Shane (Fringe) are co-executive producers. The series will air on Watch in the UK in May.
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For more information contact:
Justine Bower, Group Publicity Manager Watch
Kerry Parker, Senior Network Communications Manager
About Watch Watch is an entertainment channel that promises to surprise with out of the ordinary programming. Premiering hit fantasy and science-fiction dramas such as Grimm, Believe and Beauty and the Beast, it also showcases a selection of distinctive series like Doctor Who, David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities, Masterchef Australia and The Happenings. Watch is the exclusive home of Dynamo: Magician Impossible, an award winning original commission from UKTV.
Where to find Watch: Sky 109 (HD)/155 and Virgin 125 (HD)/124.
www.justwatch.co.uk@Watch_Channel
About UKTV
UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers per month.
UKTV's ten imaginative channel brands - Watch, Dave, Gold, Alibi, Eden, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home and Good Food - include the most watched non-PSB channel, the most watched channel in the Factual genre and the most watched channels in the Lifestyle genre (Pay and Free). The company's most recent financial results showed a record-breaking year-end revenue of £262m, and operating profit at £71m.
UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC and Channel 4 content, and embracing technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, TalkTalk, YouView, plus direct On Demand digital services. The network distributes its highly valued programmes to 200 territories around the world and supplies Sky with more hours of HD content than anyone else.
Now celebrating its 21st year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.