Tuesday 3 November 2020
UKTV has today announced the acquisition of drama series Briarpatch for leading crime drama channel Alibi following a deal with NBCUniversal Global Distribution. The ten-part series is based on the Ross Thomas novel of the same name and stars Rosario Dawson (Marvel's Daredevil, Sin City), Jay R. Ferguson (The Romanoffs, Mad Men), Edi Gathegi (StartUp, The Blacklist), Brian Geraghty (Chicago P.D.), Kim Dickens (Fear the Walking Dead, Gone Girl), Alan Cumming (The Good Wife, Instinct) and Ed Asner (Dead to Me).
Briarpatch is a stylish crime drama that updates the pulp fiction genre for a new era and follows the determined and no-nonsense detective, Allegra Dill (Rosario Dawson), who returns to her quirky hometown after her sister is murdered. However, there is more than just a murder to deal with in the Texas border-town of San Bonifacio, as a search for a killer soon turns into an all-consuming fight to bring her corrupt hometown to its knees.
Produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Paramount Television, Briarpatch is written for television by Andy Greenwald (Legion), who executive produces alongside Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail through his production company Esmail Corp and Chad Hamilton. Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night) also directs the pilot episode and served as executive producer.
Melanie Rumani, global head of acquisitions for UKTV, said:
We're thrilled to be working with NBCUniversal on this brilliant series. It's exciting to see our slate of shows continue to grow and Briarpatch is a fantastic addition.
Emma Ayech, Alibi's channel director added:
We've had some brilliant US shows on Alibi in recent months, so it's great to be adding the super stylish Briarpatch to the line-up for 2021. The series offers a real slice of escapism and sits perfectly alongside a range of UKTV Originals and classic British dramas that our viewers know and love.
Briarpatch will air on Alibi next year.
_
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Publicist for Alibi
Notes for editors:
About Alibi
Sky 132/826, Virgin 126/200, BT 312/382, TalkTalk 312, TV Player On demand on Sky, Virgin, BT and TalkTalk
Alibi is the only TV channel in the UK dedicated to crime drama, investigating the best selection from the genre and premiering hit series from around the world such as Harrow, Waco and I Am The Night. Alibi stepped into UKTV Original crime drama series with guaranteed thrills, twists and turns including hits Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston and We Hunt Together, starring Babou Ceesay and Eve Myles.
Now in its 13th series, Murdoch Mysteries has found a safe space on the channel while some of British TV's best-known detectives, including Miss Marple, enjoy a trip down memory lane. Hit British crime dramas including Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Silent Witness give the viewers another chance to catch their favourite shows.
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 25 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.