37 Shows That You Might Want To Check Out This Summer (Part 2)

Here’s part two of our series on shows you might want to check out this summer.  Just one show today.  Scroll to the bottom for the previous entry.

Halt and Catch Fire (AMC – Sundays, 10:00 p.m. beginning June 1st)

You have to give AMC credit for having the vision and foresight to bring television ideas to life that on their face seem like they would be as boring as watching paint dry. Think about these premises if you will:

1.) High School chemistry teacher resorts to dealing meth when he finds out he has terminal cancer.

2.) A New York City ad agency during the 1960s.

3.) A Western that focuses on the construction of the railroad post Civil War.

4.) Zombie apocalypse occurs, people are trying to survive.

On paper, these simple premises that have all resulted in some of the biggest hits and critically acclaimed darlings in television history, all have one thing in common: incredible character development.  Halt and Catch Fire would seem to be following this same tradition because let’s be honest, does the premise of “three people in 1983 try to reverse engineer IBM personal computer technology” really seem exciting to anyone but the biggest nerd?  I expect Halt and Catch Fire to do what AMC series usually do and that is to suck audiences in with the characters at first and the compelling drama later.

In fact, if you think about it, the biggest failure in recent history for AMC series-wise has been  Low Winter Sun which attempted to find success with the exact opposite formula, focusing on a (mediocre) story and not on character development out of the gate. AMC knows which side their bread is buttered on and I don’t expect a mistake like Low Winter Sun again for quite some time.

After seeing the first episode, it seems to be in the fast-paced spirit of Jobs and The Social Network and I am enjoying it so far.  It’s tough to make a series assessment after only the pilot but it’s definitely worth following.

What it has going for it: Not only does AMC have a fantastic track record when it comes to picking winners but they also have a reputation of sticking by their shows when conventional wisdom would have had other networks running at the first sign of trouble (See: The Killing which was canceled and subsequently uncanceled by AMC because THEY had faith in the story-telling of the show which is unheard of).  The relatively unknown cast and the fact that although it’s a period piece, it’s set during a time that is within arm’s reach for producers (offices really haven’t changed much in 30 years and it’s not difficult to go to your local thrift store to find 1980s period clothing and computer technology for a dime), makes the show undoubtedly inexpensive to produce making it that much easier for execs to support it.

What it has going against it: I really can’t see much.  The biggest challenge this show is going to face is, as I noted, getting audiences past the on-paper dry premise but AMC audiences are used to this by now and they know that with AMC, it’s a marathon and not a sprint.

Check out part one, here.

MTV: ‘Awkward,’ ‘Girl Code’ Premiere Dates Announced

Via Press Release:

MTV SET TO LAUNCH AN ALL-NEW FUNNY FEMALE COMEDY LINE-UP WITH THE RETURN OF SCRIPTED HIT “AWKWARD” ALONG WITH NEW SERIES “GIRL CODE”

03.18.13

Season Three of “Awkward” to Premiere on Tuesday, April 16 with Two Back-to-Back Episodes
Beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT and “Girl Code” to Debut on Tuesday, April 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY (March 18, 2013) – MTV will debut the first half of its expanded 20-episode third season of the critically acclaimed series “Awkward” on Tuesday, April 16 with an hour-long premiere event featuring the first two episodes back-to-back at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The following week, MTV will debut new series, “Girl Code,” a spin-off of the successful comedic series “MTV2’s Guy Code”  immediately following an all-new “Awkward” on Tuesday, April 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

In the first two seasons of “Awkward,” Jenna Hamilton tackled the age old questions all teenagers face:  “who am I” and “who do I want be with?”  Now, as she enters her junior year at Palos Hills High, Jenna is finally confronting the daunting question: “who do I want to be?”  Season three picks up with Jenna feeling left behind now that Ming and Tamara start to blossom socially in ways that she hasn’t.  Once again, Jenna seems to be solely living her life through her relationship with Matty and is starting to question if there is more for her beyond her love life and the life that she knows at Palos Hills.   To check out the season three trailer, click here.

In the season three premiere episode Jenna’s junior year brings a wave of surprises and changes that potentially will impact her future in an indelible way and in the second episode, the death of classmate will leave Jenna to reflect on loss, grieving, and taking responsibility for a secret she’s keeping from Matty.

Additionally, MTV.com will be the exclusive home for the first ever “Awkward” webisodes that will have a complementary storyline that is directly linked to an-air arc.  The first of the online-only webisodes will be available prior to the April 16 premiere, with subsequent webisodes available throughout the season.

As previously announced, Anthony Michael Hall will join the cast as “Mr. Hart,” a sadistic creative writing teacher who pushes students out of their comfort zones and Nolan Funk will play “Collin,” a new prep school transfer to Palos Hills.  Season three marks the return of “Awkward” stars Ashley Rickards as Jenna, Beau Mirchoff as Matty, Molly Tarlov as Sadie, Jillian Rose Reed as Tamara, Brett Davern as Jake, Nikki DeLoach as Lacey, Desi Lydic as Valerie, Jessica Lu as Ming, Mike Faiola as Kevin and Greer Grammer as Lissa.

The third season comes on the heels of a highly successful second season in which the show was Thursday’s #1 cable series among P12-34 and averaged a 1.9 rating among P12-34 and 1.9 million total viewers.  Additionally, the second season saw 36-percent growth among teens.

MTV’s new series “Girl Code” is a strong and smart female driven comedy series bringing millennial viewers a new, hilarious how-to manual full of over the top tips to push the envelope and open the dialogue about the wonders and woes of womanhood.  In the same style of irreverent commentary that fans have come to love on MTV2’s top rated series “Guy Code,” the new MTV series calls on female stand-up comics, actresses and musicians—and even a few guys—to weigh in on the sisterhood that all girls share.

For more ways to connect with “Awkward” follow the show on Twitter @MTVAwkward  or like it on Facebook.   

“Awkward” was created by Lauren Iungerich.  Iungerich and Erin Ehrlich serve as executive producers.

“Girl Code” was developed by Ryan Ling who also serves as Executive Producer. Darin Byrne and Paul Ricci are Executive Producers for MTV. Laura Murphy is the Director. The series is an original production by Viacom Media Networks.

Awkward will air internationally on MTV channels around the world beginning September 2013.

*Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. Ranked on 000s. Dates: 6/28/12-9/20/12. P12-34 unless noted. Teens: P12-17.

About MTV:        
MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand.   With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people.  MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy®, Grammy® and Peabody® award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile.  MTV’s sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is a leading destination for music, news and pop culture.  MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  For more information, go to http://www.mtvpress.com

FOX: Hit Thriller ‘The Following’ Renewed For Second Season

Via Press Release:

FOX ORDERS A SECOND SEASON OF HIT DRAMA “THE FOLLOWING”

FOX has ordered a second season of the year’s most thrilling new series THE FOLLOWING, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

“From the very beginning, we felt Kevin Williamson and Marcos Siega had created a high-quality, edge-of-your-seat drama that could break from the pack, and it is exciting to see the audience responding,” said Reilly. “Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy have given us two of the most compelling characters on television and the entire cast is incredible. I’m delighted to have this thrill ride continue on FOX for another season.”

After only six airings, THE FOLLOWING is already the No. 2 broadcast drama and the No. 3 drama overallthis season with Live+7 ratings. Since it launched, the psychological thriller has also quickly established itself as one of the most buzzed-about series in social media, ranking as the No. 1 new broadcast drama in total social comments.

In tonight’s all-new episode (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), with the help of attorney Olivia Warren (guest star Renee Elise Goldsberry), makes a case against Ryan (Kevin Bacon) and the FBI to be transferred to a different facility, but Ryan suspects a larger plan may be at play. Meanwhile, Emma (Valorie Curry) and Joey (Kyle Catlett) arrive at a meeting point and come across another follower who has a secret of his own.

The full-throttle drama continues with nine all-new episodes airing Mondays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

THE FOLLOWING is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Outerbanks Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television. The series is created, written and executive-produced by Kevin Williamson. Marcos Siega (“Dexter,” “The Vampire Diaries”) also serves as an executive producer and directed the pilot. “Like” THE FOLLOWING on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFollowing. Follow the series on Twitter @TheFollowingFOX and join the discussion at #thefollowing.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information on THE FOLLOWING, please visit http://origin.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z357.]

-FOX-

BBC America: New SciFi Series ‘Orphan Black’ To Premiere This Saturday After ‘Doctor Who’ Premere

(Scroll down for trailer)

(Via Press Release)

BBC AMERICA’S NEW ORIGINAL SERIES ORPHAN BLACK PREMIERES SATURDAY, MARCH 30 AT 9:00PM ET/PT

Feb 07, 2013 | BBC AMERICA

Sarah has always been an orphan outsider. But a clone is never alone.

Sarah hopes that cleaning out a dead woman’s bank account will solve all her problems. Instead, they multiply at an unnerving rate. Smart, sexy and pulsating with suspense – BBC AMERICA’s new original series, ORPHAN BLACK, features rising star Tatiana Maslany (The Vow, Picture Day). She portrays Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman, “Beth,” who looks just like her. Sarah takes her identity, her boyfriend and her money. But instead of solving her problems, the street-smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy, racing to find answers. ORPHAN BLACK premieres Saturday, March 30, 9:00pm ET/PT, as part of BBC AMERICA’s Supernatural Saturday.

Led by Tatiana Maslany, the cast includes Jordan Gavaris (Degrassi) as Felix, Sarah’s thorny foster brother and her one true confidante;  Dylan Bruce (NCIS) as Paul, Beth’s boyfriend – a decent guy with chiseled features, but more complicated than he appears; Maria Doyle Kennedy (Downton Abbey) as Mrs. S, Sarah’s hard-nosed working class foster mother from across the pond; Michael Mando (The Killing) as Vic, Sarah’s volatile ex, aptly nicknamed “Vic the Dick”; Kevin Hanchard (Republic of Doyle) as Art, a veteran detective working alongside Beth who grows suspicious of her erratic behavior: and Skyler Wexler (Carrie) as Sarah’s seven-year-old daughter. The ten-part conspiracy thriller, produced by Temple Street Productions, is co-created by Graeme Manson (Flashpoint) and John Fawcett (Spartacus), with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director.

“As we get deeper into the show and peel back the layers, we unearth the conspiracy and the philosophy behind those responsible for the circumstances our characters are facing,” said Graeme Manson.“It’s a thrill ride with no shortage of hooks; the ‘how is she going to get out of this?’ question will be answered by Sarah invariably not getting ‘out’, but going deeper,” added John Fawcett.

Sarah’s complexities, struggles and troubled past make for a character that both grounds and fuels this intense series.As the story unfolds, we learn that Sarah began life in an English orphanage, bouncing between foster homes, eventually landing on the doorstep of Mrs. S, who adopted her and Felix, later uprooting them (under somewhat suspicious circumstances) to North America. Sarah steadfastly remains the English punk – a street-smart stray with a reckless streak and a loyal heart. She’s made bad choices in life, but has always done right by her daughter Kira, even if that meant the pain of separation. She wants more than anything to reunite with Kira and turn over a new leaf. But Sarah’s simple score to buy a new life turns into a tightrope act when she finds out that not only was Beth (her deceased look-alike) a cop, she was caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy. Now, Sarah is the next target – fighting to stay alive, while desperately trying to escape from the complex web she’s found herself in. But as more pieces of the puzzle emerge, Sarah is only drawn in deeper. With continual shocks to her identity, she’s left reeling, wondering who she really is.

“Sarah’s unlike any character I’ve seen on television, male or female. She is written so vividly on the page, struggling to survive as best she can in a world that’s never made room for her,” said Tatiana Maslany, star ofOrphan Black. “The series is completely unpredictable, gripping, dark and hilarious. The writers take hugerisks, and that’s what excites me so much about Orphan Black. It pushes boundaries, always with intelligence.”

Following the hit drama, COPPER, Orphan Black is BBC AMERICA’s next scripted series to join the channel’s stable of all-new original programming. The series is part of BBC AMERICA’s new Supernatural Saturday lineup, which launches March 30, with the season premiere of Doctor Who at 8:00pm ET/PT, series premiere of Orphan Black at 9:00pm ET/PT and the series premiere of The Nerdist at 10:00pm ET/PT.

A&E: ‘Psycho’ Prequel/Reboot ‘Bates Motel’ Premiere Date Announced

Via Press Release:

A&E Network to Premiere “Bates Motel” on Monday, March 18th at 10PM ET/PT

A&E NETWORK TO PREMIERE NEW ORIGINAL SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES “BATES MOTEL” ON MONDAY, MARCH 18 AT 10PM ET/PT

SERIES TO STAR VERA FARMIGA, FREDDIE HIGHMORE, MAX THIERIOT, OLIVIA COOKE AND NICOLA PELTZ

Pasadena, CA – January 4, 2013 – A&E Network will premiere the new original scripted drama series “Bates Motel” from executive producers Carlton Cuse (“Lost”) and Kerry Ehrin (“Friday Night Lights”) on Monday, March 18 at 10 PM ET/PT, it was announced today by Bob DeBitetto, President and GM of A&E Network and Bio Channel. “Bates Motel” is a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film “Psycho,” and promises to give viewers an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates’ psyche unravels through his teenage years. Fans will have access to the dark, twisted backstory of Norman Bates and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma, truly is. The series stars Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air,” “The Departed”), Freddie Highmore (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Finding Neverland”), Max Thieriot (“Disconnect”), Olivia Cooke (“Blackout”) and Nicola Peltz (“The Last Airbender”). Season one also co-stars Nestor Carbonell (“Lost,” “The Dark Knight Rises”) and Mike Vogel (“Pan Am”).

“Carlton and Kerry crafted a fascinating backstory for Norman and Norma Bates that has been brought to life by this incredible cast,” said DeBitetto. “It’s thought provoking television at its finest and we’re thrilled to bring it to the A&E family.”

In “Bates Motel,” following the tragic death of her husband, Norma Bates buys a motel on the outskirts of the idyllic coastal town of White Pine Bay, seeking a fresh start. As Norma and Norman get ensconced in their new home, they discover this town isn’t quite what it seems, and the locals aren’t so quick to let them in on their secrets. But the Bates’ are done being pushed around and will do whatever it takes to survive – and will do whatever it takes to protect their own secrets.

“Bates Motel” is produced by Universal Television for A&E Network. Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin serve as executive producers for Carlton Cuse Productions.

Visit the official Bates Motel site for trailers, photos, character info, and more.

New Police Series, ‘Golden Boy’ Premiering In March (VIDEO)

It’s rare that a series slips by us but it’s even rarer yet that a network does such a masterful job of burying a new series before its premiere but that’s exactly what CBS has done with its new, seemingly compelling police drama, Golden Boy, which follows the meteoric rise a of a young police officer in New York City from beat cop to police commissioner over the course of seven years.  CBS occasionally does this and it’s very puzzling. I saw ZERO trailers last year for the ill-fated police drama NYC 22 which lasted about 10 minutes on the network and it’s safe to say that the lack of promotion for the series contributed to its demise.

Here’s the thing, CBS, if you don’t have any interest in a show, don’t pick it up but for crap’s sake, don’t pick up a show and then not promote it.  Seriously, what are you… FOX?  In the case of Golden Boy, this seems particularly stupid because judging by the extended trailer below, it would seem to be the perfect lead-in for Blue Bloods on Friday nights.

Golden Boy premieres on March 5th at 10:00 p.m. and will move to its regular timeslot on Friday nights at 9:00 p.m. on March 8th.

ADVANCE REVIEW: ‘1600 Penn’ (NBC – Thursday, 9:30 p.m.)

EDITORIAL NOTE: To understand how we do our reviews, please refer to our review of Revolution, here.

The Gilchrists are just the average American family dealing with all the everyday issues – like a grown kid who’s forced to move back home, children who are smarter than their teachers and a stepmom (Jenna Elfman, “Dharma and Greg”) desperately trying to win over the kids. They’re loving, fun and a little crazy. In other words, just like everybody else. With one exception: they live in a very special house. The White House! Whether it’s entertaining foreign dignitaries, sneaking away for a night out, dealing with middle school crushes or putting out fires – figuratively and sometimes literally – there’s never a dull moment in the Gilchrist White House. For example, the First Son (Josh Gad, star of Broadway sensation “The Book of Mormon”) is one of the administration’s biggest liabilities, but also the glue that holds this family together. The President (Bill Pullman, “Independence Day,” “While You Were Sleeping”) knows too well that the only thing harder than being Head of State is being head of the family. Also starring are Martha MacIsaac (“Superbad”), Andre Holland (“Friends with Benefits”), Amara Miller (“The Descendants”) and Benjamin Stockham (“Sons of Tucson”).  “Modern Family” meets “The West Wing” in this election-year comedy from Emmy-winning executive producer/director Jason Winer (“Modern Family”). The executive producers are Winer, Gad and Jon Lovett (former White House speechwriter).  Winer also directed the pilot.  “1600 Penn” is produced by 20th Century Fox. – NBC

Score:     85 out of 100

Initial Impressions (May 22, 2012):  Yes!  Our prayers have finally been answered.  Bill Pullman is President of the United States, once again.  This is something we’ve wanted since Independence Day… we just weren’t expecting it to happen in comedy form.  Despite the limited information from the clip [above], just reading between the lines on this gives us a lot of insight as to the quality of this offering.  First, you’ve got two big leads in Bill Pullman and Jenna Elfman and you know they weren’t signing on to a crap show because they can be more selective with their roles.  More importantly, though, is the fact that the show is from the brains behind Modern Family which hopefully will mean nothing but good things.

Shawn: Yet another great new show from NBC.  Like I said initially, when you’ve got Pullman and Elfman leading the cast and the minds of Modern Family, that should really tell you what you need to know, and seriously, NBC, stop telling us about stars on these shows that were in Broadway hits.  Do you honestly think anyone watching a network television comedy on a Thursday night cares that Josh Gad was a star in The Book of Mormon?  I’ll give you a head’s up on this: they don’t and in fact most of your key demographic doesn’t even know what the holy-crap The Book of Mormon is other than in the context of the teenagers in matching short-sleeved, white dress shirts, bad ties and bicycle helmets that come knocking on their door on a Saturday afternoon.  The only reason I know what it is because I follow South Park and I know that it’s Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s baby.

All I need to know about Josh Gad is that he is flippin’ brilliant comedically and that is exactly what I was treated to when watching the pilot.  He’s so funny that if not for how good the other performances were, I would have had ignored them completely.  Pullman is fantastic, Elfman is fantastic as are the rest of the supporting cast and the show does an excellent job of portraying what appears to be just your average, typical middle-class suburban family who are now in the White House.  Seriously, it’s like watching the worst aspects of your own family dysfunction play itself out at the most famous address in the world.

And yes, 1600 Penn is absolutely absurd, but it’s done so cleverly and so heart-warmingly that you can’t help but to ignore the absurdity and appreciate it for what it is: just a great comedy.  Tim Goodman, resident hack at THR says that, “It’s obvious this is NBC’s answer to Modern Family,” but then again, that’s why I refer to Goodman as a hack. He just throws out whatever nonsense seems good on paper because he read the same show description we did.  The fact is, though, even with the creative talents of Modern Family behind 1600 Penn, it is NOTHING like it.

Again, it’s the absurdity factor that’s the big difference.  Modern Family works because of its mockumentary format in that the setup is that the Dunphys/Pritchetts are indeed a real family.  There’s none of that with 1600 Penn.  It’s pie-in-the-face, seltzer-down-the-trousers slapstick from the opening sequence.  There’s an immediate wink to the audience and we all get it… except for Tim Goodman.  Bravo, NBC.

Chance of Renewal:  80%

I seriously cannot fathom how anyone but the most tight-assed of newspaper TV critics wouldn’t like this show.  But then again, mid-season comedy replacements don’t have a good history.  I’m going with more likely to be renewed than not.

Watch the pilot of 1600 Penn, right now, ahead of the January 10th premiere, here.  Cable subscribers, you can also watch it OnDemand, as well.

Official Trailer For Upcoming Netflix Original Series, Political Thriller ‘House Of Cards’ (VIDEO)

We’ve been reporting to you for the better part of two years on the upcoming Netflix original series, House of Cards, based on the 1990 BBC miniseries of the same title and we finally have a trailer to show you and it certainly looks intense.  House of Cards, produced by David Fincher and starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, came to our intention last year as the first announced original programming for the streaming home video giant.  Netflix outbid several other cable networks, including HBO and AMC, in a deal worth a reported $100 million for 26 episodes of this new series.

All 13 episodes of season one will be available on Netflix streaming on Febraury 1, 2013.

More Details on BBC America’s New Crime Thriller, ‘Ripper Street’ MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! (Character Guide, Episode Descriptions)

Via Press Release:

BBC AMERICA PREMIERES NEW CRIME THRILLER RIPPER STREET JANUARY 19 AT 9:00PM ET/PT

Dec 13, 2012 | BBC AMERICA

Can anyone bring order to the blood stained streets of London’s East End?

New York – December 13, 2012 – In the aftermath of Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror, London’s Whitechapel sits on a precipice, and H Division – the precinct charged with keeping order – must work diligently to police the toughest district in the East End.  Welcome to Ripper Street, where fear lurks that each new murder could mark the return of The Ripper. As imitators emerge and feral gangs terrorize, Inspector Edmund Reid – one of the lead detectives on the Ripper case – and his teamare further drawn into the criminal underbelly of Victorian London. And their vigilance must be swift to stop those that threaten the calm of the city. Starring Matthew Macfadyen (Anna Karenina, Pride and Prejudice), Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones), Adam Rothenberg (Alcatraz) and MyAnna Buring (Downton Abbey, The Twilight Saga) and loosely based on real characters and events, the eight-part BBC AMERICA co-production created by Richard Warlow, premieres Saturday, January 19, 9:00pm ET.

“BBC AMERICA is excited to present this latest quality offering from the BBC,” say Perry Simon, General Manager, BBC AMERICA.  “Ripper Street is an edge of your seat thrill ride through Victorian London, with a stellar cast and compelling stories that will send chills down the spines of our viewers.”

A compelling, zesty crime drama with an international cast, Ripper Street’s rich storylines meld with the intrigue of a criminal underworld. Through modern marvels of the time, including early forensic methods, moving pictures, the early typewriter and more, the H Division squares off against copycat killers, a mass murderer who unleashes biological toxins, gamblers and counterfeiters. But with a neighborhood stuck at a volatile peak, can anyone bring order to these blood stained streets?

Leading the battle is Inspector Edmund Reid (Matthew Macfadyen), one of the lead investigators in the hunt to capture The Ripper.  A detective in the truest sense of the word, Reid’s calm and instinctive understanding is what the East End streets need to keep order in turbulent times. Haunted by his failure to capture London’s most evil killer, and by demons fiercely protected by him and his long suffering wife, Emily (Amanda Hale), Reid is driven by his belief that, through innovation and technology, the day will come where ignorance will never again stand in his way of apprehending a mass murderer.

Aiding Reid is his right-hand-man, Sergeant Bennet Drake (Jerome Flynn), a brute force of a man whose suit is the only thing that distinguishes him from the thugs he polices.  He’s loyal and protective of Reid, who believes in him and uses Drake’s ferocity to his advantage.  Scarred by war and longing for the simple life, Drake knows all too well the kind of ugliness men, including him, are capable of.

Rounding out the trio is Captain Homer Jackson (Adam Rothenberg), a free-spirited American expatriate enlisted by Reid for his forensic brilliance.  Reid is a staunch believer in technological innovation as a crime fighting tool and Jackson provides the science to back his beliefs.  But his vices are many and his secrets run deep. Jackson’s ties to an upmarket brothel-keeper, Long Susan (MyAnna Buring), creates an air of suspicion as to why they both decided to leave America for the lawless East End streets.

The series is created and written by Richard Warlow, showrunner and writer of the BBC One drama,Mistresses.  Richard began as a Development Executive at Pathe and DNA Films before embarking on a career as a screenwriter in 2003.

Ripper Street is the latest co-production to join BBC AMERICA’s stable of compelling programming including the award-winning Dramaville series The Hour, Luther and the upcoming mini-series, Spies of Warsaw.

CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS

Inspector Edmund Reid                      Matthew Macfadyen (Anna Karenina, Pride and Prejudice)

Sergeant Bennet Drake                      Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones)

Captain Homer Jackson                     Adam Rothenberg (Alcatraz)

Long Susan Hart                                  MyAnna Buring (Downton Abbey, The Twilight Saga)

Emily Reid                                             Amanda Hale (The Crimson Petal and the White)

Rose Erskine                                        Charlene McKenna (Misfits)

Deborah Goren                                     Lucy Cohu (Upstairs Downstairs)

Constable Dick Hobbs                       Jonathan Barnwell

Sergeant Donald Atherton                  David Wilmot (Anna Karenina)

Fred Best                                               David Dawson (Luther)

Chief Inspector
Frederick Abberline                             Clive Russell (Game of Thrones, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows)

Created by                                             Richard Warlow (Mistresses)

Directed by                                            Tom Shankland (The Fades)

Executive producers                           Greg Brenman
 Will Gould 
 Polly Hill
   Simon Vaughan

Ripper Street is produced for the BBC by Tiger Aspect Productions, Lookout Point and BBC AMERICA.

EPISODE SYNOPSES

SEASON PREMIERE

EPISODE 1 – I NEED LIGHT

A young woman is found brutally murdered, the hallmark signs of the Ripper upon her. One time H Division boss, Chief Inspector Frederick Abberline believes it Jack’s return, but Reid – the precinct’s new man in charge – suspects a different evil at work. When Jackson learns that Long Susan’s girls have been drawn into the murky world of Victorian pornography, the team must use all of their brawn, brains and brilliance to track down the fiend responsible before another girl is killed. Written by Richard Warlow.  Episode 1 premieres Saturday, January 19, 9:00pm ET.

EPISODE 2 – IN MY PROTECTION

A beloved toy maker is beaten to death for a mysterious brass box and the coins in his pocket. The Whitechapel Vigilance Committee presents a 14 year-old culprit who refuses to deny the charge, leading Reid and Drake into the savage world of merciless child gangs. Jackson’s drinking and gambling have led to the loss of the pendant that ties him to his American past – a past that he and Long Susan fear will now be exposed. Written by Richard Warlow.  Episode 2 premieres Saturday, January 26, 9:00pm ET.

EPISODE 3 – THE KING CAME CALLING

H Division and the Independent City of London force are thrown together when the panic surrounding a sudden cholera outbreak leads them to scour both boroughs to find some underlying pattern amidst the rising tide of sickness and death. As Jackson’s lab fills with bodies – and with no clear correlation between the victims to be found – the team work against the clock. Meanwhile Emily Reid seeks patronage for her charity efforts, unaware of the resistance she will meet. Written by Declan Croghan and Richard Warlow. Episode 3 premieres Saturday, February 2, 9:00pm ET.

EPISODE 4 – THE GOOD OF THIS CITY

The brutal clearing of a local slum for the underground railway reveals an indecipherable murder scene and an unreliable slum girl witness. Lucy Eames, beautiful and disturbed, is the unlikely key to a byzantine web of conspiracy. As Reid closes in on the killer, it becomes clear that the condemned slum is home to dark secrets that someone is desperate to protect. Written by Julie Rutterford and Richard Warlow. Episode 4 premieres Saturday, February 9, 9:00pm ET.

EPISODE 5 – THE WEIGHT OF ONE MAN’S HEART

A string of brilliantly masterminded robberies draw the attention of Reid and his team. While Jackson works to trace the thieves’ hardware, Drake is confronted with a spectre from his past in the form of his onetime Colonel – returned to London to seek redress for the unjust treatment of the Empire’s soldiers.As Reid closes in on the brash robbers and their ultimate target, Drake finds his loyalties put to the ultimate test. Written by Toby Finlay. Episode 5 premieres Saturday, February 16, 9:00pm ET.

EPISODE 6 – TOURNAMENT OF SHADOWS

As the dock strike of August 1889 takes hold of the city, the killing of a Jewish anarchist leads Reid and the team into the merciless chicanery of the British government’s fight against distant empires and global terrorism. Written by Toby Finlay. Episode 6 premieres Saturday, February 23, 9:00pm ET.

EPISODE 7 – A MAN OF MY COMPANY

An international shipping magnate arrives in town with his Pinkerton retinue to complete the acquisition of an ailing London shipping line. Meanwhile, the murdered body of an engine inventor draws Reid’s attention just as Jackson and Long Susan’s past comes back to haunt them. Written by Richard Warlow. Episode 7 premieres Saturday, March 2, 9:00pm ET.

EPISODE 8 – WHAT USE OUR WORK

Reid is adrift.  His team is in pieces and Leman Street is shaken to its foundations following recent events. A kidnapping offers him cause to assemble his men and tackle the white slavery ring operating in their midst. But Reid is gripped by a growing obsession that leads back to a terrible secret from his own past. Written by Richard Warlow. Episode 8 premieres Saturday, March 9, 9:00pm ET.

CHARACTER GUIDE

INSPECTOR EDMUND REID (Matthew Macfadyen)

The boss of H Division, Inspector Edmund Reid was one of the lead detectives on the Jack the Ripper investigation (working side by side with the more historically celebrated Frederick Abberline). When the hunt for the killer was given up in early 1889, Reid stayed exactly where he had been for the last two years, policing the streets that would always remind him of his failure.

Reid is calm, meticulous and embracing of any innovation that will help him get his man. A brilliant investigator with an understanding of humanity, Reid has an analytical mind and years of hard won experience. As a committed technophile, Reid is led by his belief that the day will come when science and technology will aid him in apprehending the next Ripper.

Having experienced tragedy – the full details of which are known only to him – Reid carries a serious injury to his left shoulder. Only a very few know how he came by the wounds and none talk about it.

SERGEANT BENNETDRAKE (Jerome Flynn)

Reid’s right-hand, Sergeant Bennet Drake, is a hard man with some harder demons. Ex-army, his fists often deliver the blow needed to get a suspect talking.  But outside of his suit, Drake doesn’t have a lot to distinguish him from the thugs he polices. He is fiercely loyal to Reid, for it was the Inspector who saw the potential in him – beyond a supreme ability to crack heads.

What Reid saw is integrity and an affiliation to the streets. Drake – unlike many officers – does not see himself as morally superior to the populace he polices. He has known the horrors of war and knows of what monstrosities men are capable of. Above all else, Drake wishes to find a way to escape his thug status and the dehumanising memories he carries with him.

CAPTAIN HOMER JACKSON (Adam Rothenberg)

An American, a one-time Pinkerton detective and a U.S. army surgeon, Captain Homer Jackson is an expert in the world of early forensics. Enlisted by Reid for his unique skills on the autopsy slab, he is a free spirit – untrustworthy and brilliant by equal measure.  But his thirst for vice including women, booze and gambling leaves him hated by Drake and distrusted by the rest of the police fraternity.

Jackson has his secrets too. On the run from an ‘incident’ in America, he and brothel-keeper, Long Susan, have sought out the East End precisely for its chaos and lawlessness. Reid’s attachment to Jackson – and the friendship the two like minds inevitably foster – will eventually compromise this need for secrecy.

LONG SUSAN (MyAnna Buring)

Like Jackson, Long Susan Hart is also hiding out in the neighborhood, on the run from the same incident in America. Her past is a mystery, but her well-honed skills in business and self-promotion have given her one of the most salubrious brothels in the district. Brazen and quick to anger, Susan is also well educated and knows exactly how to manipulate the desires of men.

Though it irks Susan, Jackson comes and goes as he pleases through the brothel in which he keeps his shambolic rooms. The frequency and ferocity of their arguments often leads Susan’s girls to wonder just why they tolerate each other. But their passionate exchanges hide a shared affection that their exile hasn’t completely extinguished.

EMILY REID (Amanda Hale)

Inspector Edmund Reid’s wife, Emily, was once the happy spouse of a well-respected and ambitious young policeman, and a devoted mother to their beloved daughter. But her life has changed dramatically. While she and her husband still love each other, their life together has been irretrievably altered by shared tragedy – and their different means of coping with this loss.

Where Emily seeks solace in church, Reid chooses only denial. Before this pain separated them, however, they were ideally suited. Emily’s intelligence and curiosity challenged and complimented Reid. Now, with an emotional gulf between them, Emily finds herself searching for new ways to channel her energies.

BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.3 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.

AMC Announces Thursday Unscripted Block

Via Press Release:

AMC LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMMING NIGHT

FOR ORIGINAL UNSCRIPTED SERIES    

“COMIC BOOK MEN,” “FREAKSHOW” AND “IMMORTALIZED”  

TO AIR THURSDAY NIGHTS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 14

New York – November 28, 2012 – AMC announced today a new programming night for its original unscripted series.  The network will air the final eight episodes of “Comic Book Men” season two along with the premiere seasons of “Freakshow” and “Immortalized” on Thursday nights beginning Thursday, February 14.  The new programming night will kick off at 9pm with “Comic Book Men” season two, executive produced by Kevin Smith, Charlie Corwin’s Original Media and Elyse Seiden, followed by “Freakshow,” executive produced by Greg Johnston from Endemol USA and Todd Ray from Living Wonders, at 9:30pm and “Immortalized,” executive produced by Go Go Luckey Entertainment, at 10pm. The second seasons of unscripted series “The Pitch” and “Small Town Security” as well the recently greenlit “Road Show” (working title) will also air on Thursdays later in 2013.

“With an expanding slate of unscripted series, it makes perfect sense for us to create and build a new night for these great stories, in the same way we have made Sundays a true destination for our award-winning original dramas,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s EVP of original programming, production and digital content. “We are excited to have Thursday night as the new home for unscripted on AMC, as we continue to showcase distinct storytelling that explores authentic characters and original worlds.”

“Comic Book Men,” which critics called “genial, good-natured, eccentric and dry-witted” (Newsday) and “a celebration of the deeply particular personalities involved when geeky merchandise changes hands,” (The New York Times), follows Smith and his crew of fan boys turned pop culture experts who live, work and breath comic books.  In the new season, which premiered October 14, the guys of Smith’s iconic comic shop, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, geek-out over rare memorabilia and discover treasures of the comic collecting world. Realize your inner superhero and satisfy your fan boy fantasies by watching Smith, Walt, Mike, Bryan and Ming tape their outrageous podcasts where they tackle the burning questions all fans grapple with: what is the ultimate superpower and how best to relive the nostalgia of your childhood.

“Freakshow” is a family drama that centers on former music producer Todd Ray as he pursues his dream to own and operate his own ‘Freakshow’ on the famed boardwalk in Venice Beach, CA.  The series follows Todd, his wife Danielle and their two kids, Asia and Phoenix, as they own and operate the world famous Venice Beach Freakshow, a museum that exhibits strange creatures, living oddities and human attractions personally procured by Todd. This business is Todd’s personal passion and he has bet it all on making it work. It takes a huge imagination and tremendous perseverance to keep the business afloat, but through it all Todd’s enormous respect for all humanity and his big heart make this something wildly different from just another workplace drama. The series consists of eight, half-hour episodes. 

“Immortalized” delves into the passionate detail and artistic expression of one of the world’s oldest art forms: Taxidermy. Each episode will feature one of four highly regarded “Immortalizers” facing off against a lesser known “Challenger” in a competition to create a piece to be judged on three criteria: originality, workmanship and interpretation of the designated theme. Featured for the first time on the small screen, taxidermy’s new breed of Rogue artists will have the opportunity to showcase their creative interpretation versus that of a traditionalist as they attempt to perfect this centuries-old art form in a battle of glory and pride.  The series consists of eight, half-hour episodes and is produced by Gary Auerbach, Julie Auerbach, and Tina Gazzerro.

About AMC

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories.  AMC’s original stories include “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” and “The Walking Dead.”  AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC’s Can’t Get Enough and AMC’s Crazy About.  AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv.  AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.  AMC: Story Matters Here^SM.