UKTV’s Watch secures back-to-life drama Resurrection

Resurrection

Wednesday 9 July 2014

UKTV's flagship pay entertainment channel Watch, has acquired fantasy drama Resurrection, an 8 x 60' series, from Disney UK and Ireland.

The series is produced by ABC Studios and follows the story of a community whose lives are changed forever when their deceased loved ones suddenly start to reappear.

An eight-year-old American boy wakes up alone in a rice paddy in a rural Chinese province with no idea how he got there. Details start to emerge when the boy, who calls himself Jacob, recalls that his hometown is Arcadia, and an Immigration agent, J. Martin Bellamy takes him there. The home he claims as his own is occupied by a 60-year-old couple, Henry and Lucille Langston, who lost their son, Jacob, more than 30 years ago.

Steve North, General Manager for Watch said

The plot for Resurrection is full of intrigue and unexpected twists. The series makes for compelling viewing throwing the viewer into a world of the unimaginable, as those who were thought dead come back to life 30 years after they have been buried.

Resurrection has already proved popular with viewers in the US where it is airing on ABC with the show winning its time slot every week with adults 18-49. The series will premiere in the UK on Watch next month (August 2014).

Alexandra Finlay, Head of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at UKTV, said,

Resurrection was one of ABC's break-out hits this past season, and I'm thrilled our collaboration with Disney UK and Ireland continues as we bring this show to Watch. The excellent writing combined with fantastic production values gives this series a truly cinematic feel.

Dayna Donaldson, Executive Director, Disney Media Distribution, UK and Ireland adds,

As the story unfolds, Resurrection's constant twists and turns are set to keep Watch viewers on the edge of their seats. It is jam-packed full of ABC Studios irresistible drama and emotion, and we're sure that viewers in the UK will be gripped.

Resurrection stars Omar Epps (House) as J. Martin Bellamy, Frances Fisher (Titanic) as Lucille Langston, Mark Hildreth (The Tudors) as Pastor Tom Hale, Samaire Armstrong (Entourage, The O.C.) as Elaine Richards and Sam Hazeldine (The Raven) as Caleb Richards.

Resurrection was developed by Aaron Zelman (The Killing), who is executive producer. Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters and Joann Alfano are executive producers. Dan Attias is director and executive producer. Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner are executive producers for Plan B and Jon Liebman is executive producer for Brillstein Entertainment.

UKTV's award-winning network of 10 channels reaches over 42 million viewers a month and its pay entertainment channel Watch is up 14% adult share year-on-year. In addition to Resurrection, viewers also have brand new episodes of BAFTA-nominated Dynamo: Magician Impossible to look forward to later this year.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Kerry Parker, Head of Network Communications

Justine Bower, Group Publicity Manager, UKTV

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 TV, 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.

corporate.uktv.co.uk / pressoffice.uktv.co.uk / @uktv_press

About The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of around $45 billion in its last fiscal year (FY13).

The Walt Disney Company has operated in the UK and Ireland for 80 years and currently employs over 2,600 people, and is dedicated to creating innovative, entertainment experiences for children and families. Disney's magic is experienced in numerous ways including on a range of Disney-branded channels, in Disney Stores, on stage with 'The Lion King' and in cinemas and retail outlets across the UK and Ireland. In 2008, Disney announced its partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity focused on raising £10 million towards the hospital's redevelopment appeal. The Disney Appeal works across all of the Disney businesses to raise funds and provide unique and memorable experiences for patients and their families.