"Linda Green," "Sparkhouse" and "The Best of Both Worlds" Will Air on SHOWTIME WOMEN in 2003

 

NEW YORK, NY -- (July 28, 2003) Showtime Networks Inc. has acquired a critically-acclaimed line-up of new programming from BBC Worldwide Americas Inc. that will air on SHOWTIME WOMEN starting in September. The new acquisitions include a new season of the comedic series LINDA GREEN and two dramatic mini-series SPARKHOUSE and THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, whose strong women and willingness to explore the issues of sex, relationships, family and betrayal reflect the SHOWTIME WOMEN mandate to present quality programming that women and the men in their lives can enjoy together.

 

LINDA GREEN -- New season airs October 3:

 

The first season of LINDA GREEN, which has been touted for its fresh, atypical lead actress Liza Tarbuck ("Watching" "The Hound of the Baskervilles"), ends on SHOWTIME WOMEN September 19th, but viewers who missed it or want to catch up on an episode or two can enjoy the first season in a marathon on September 26th prior to the October 3rd start of season 2.

 

The show centers around Linda, whose love-life is wrought with disaster and who relies on her tight circle of friends to save her with amusement and adventure. As the 10-episode second season opens, however, things are beginning to change.   Her best friends Darren and Michelle have just had a new baby and are planning marriage -- which puts a strain on their relationship as well as their friendship with Linda.   Linda is also facing pressure from her friend Jimmy to set up house together -- but she's not willing to settle for anything less than Mr. Right. At the same time, her bond with her aging father is also put to the test as he starts realizing that "Daddy's Girl" can't get along on her own. In addition to Liza Tarbuck, the cast also includes Claire Rushbrook ("The Sins,"), Daniel Ryan ("Dalziel and Pascoe"), Sean Gallagher ("Border Café"), Dave Hill ("The Full Monty"), and Rachel Davies ("Cracker"). The series was created by Paul Abbott, who also directs. Executive Producer/Producer is Nicola Shindler.   Producers also include Matthew Bird and Phil Collinson. The series is a Red Production for the BBC.

 

SPARKHOUSE -- Airing September 5, 6, 7^th

 

Inspired by the haunting love story "  Wuthering Heights," the three-episode mini-series SPARKHOUSE was shot on location in the dramatic and beautiful Yorkshire countryside. It is the story of star-crossed young lovers Carol Bolton and Andrew Lawton. Carol, played by Sarah Smart ("David Copperfield," "At Home with the Braithwaites"), is from the wrong side of the tracks and lives hand-to-mouth with her small family on Sparkhouse Farm. Andrew's parents plot and scheme to keep the pair apart hoping that Andrew, played by Joe McFadden ("The Crow Road,"   "Small Faces"), will marry a girl more suited to his station. Then to Andrew's surprise, an ugly secret about Carol's past emerges.   The cast also includes Alun Armstrong ("Onegin," "Aristocrats"), Celia Imrie ("Love in A Cold Climate," "Gormenghast"), Nick Farrell ("The Jury," "The Choir"), Richard Armitage ("Spooks," "Cold Feet"), Camilla Power ("Emmerdale," "The Grand"), Holly Grainger ("Preston Front"), April James (film debut), Siobhan Finneran ("Clocking Off," "Emmerdale"), Nicky Evans ("Emmerdale"), Jessica Harris ("Linda Green," "Fat Friends"). The three part drama was written by Sally Wainwright and directed by Robin Sheppard. The producer is Derek Wax. Executive Producers include Nicola Shindler and Mike Dormer. The film is a Red Production for the BBC. The entire mini-series will re-air on September 20th at 9p.m. and September 28th at 11 p.m.

 

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS - Airing October 10, 11, 12

 

In this three-part series, Alice Evans ("202 Dalmatians" "Elisa") takes on the role of Diane Sullivan, a lovely young woman who has it all -- and then some.  A stewardess whose job takes her from Britain to Italy, Diane has a devoted husband and an 8-year-old son in London. When she meets the charming Italian businessman Mark Landucci on a flight to Bologna she flirts with him, allowing him to believe she's single. The two get along great and soon Diane is changing her work schedule to allow for routine three-day layovers in Italy. When Mark proposes, Diane agrees and soon her double life spirals out of control as she tries to juggle her obligations to both men. Cal MacAninch ("The Riff Raff" "Warriors") plays Mark and Jo Stone-Fewings ("Soldier, Soldier" "Medics") is Martin. Filmed on location in Britain and Italy, the series is directed by David Richards. It is written by Paul Abbott and produced by Hilary Bevan Jones. Executive Producers include Adrian Bate and Gareth Neame.

Negotiating the deal for Showtime were Manager of Acquisitions Valerie Watts Meraz and Vice President of Acquisitions Gary Garfinkel. Negotiating for the BBC was the BBC Sales Company.  The entire mini-series will re-air October 29th at 9 p.m.

 

BBC Worldwide Americas (BBCWA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BBC Worldwide, the commercial consumer arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). BBC Sales Company, a joint venture of BBCWA and Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) licenses, co-produces and distributes television programs in the United States and Canada on behalf of the BBC and DCI.

 

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL" and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO", SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC xtra.  SNI also offers SHOWTIME HDTV®, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND". SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV.    Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.