New fantasy drama from Skins writer Jack Thorne, The Fades, premieres January 14, 2012 on BBC AMERICA

The Fades, the coming of age fantasy drama from writer Jack Thorne (This is England ’86, Skins, Shameless), earned critical acclaim in the UK and is now set to premiere in the US on January 14 as part of BBC AMERICA’s Supernatural Saturday. Seventeen-year-old geek Paul (Iain De Caestecker, Young Herriot) is haunted by apocalyptic dreams that his therapist can’t explain. Neither can best friend and fellow social outcast, Mac (Daniel Kaluuya, Johnny English Reborn), or unsympathetic and much cooler twin sister, Anna (Lily Loveless, Skins). But trying to fit in becomes the least of Paul and Mac’s worries, as Paul’s horrific dreams become a reality and they are embroiled in a battle between the living and the dead. The Fades premieres Saturday, January 14, 9:00pm ET/PT on Supernatural Saturday.

Natalie Dormer (The Tudors,Captain America: The First Avenger), Johnny Harris (Snow White and the Huntsman), Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones, Skins), and Tom Ellis (Merlin) also star in this smart new series that embraces both comedy and horror.

Paul and Mac love comic books, video games, riding bicycles and talking about – but not particularly with – girls. Their stats are on par with your average social outcasts. But for a long time, Paul’s mind has been filled with dark nightmares of an abandoned world where the sky rains ash.  Worse still, Paul has started to see things – horrible creatures that aren’t human. Then late one night, his dreams start to become real. As fate would have it, Paul meets Neil (Johnny Harris) and his nightmares – though still terrifying – start to make more sense. Neil explains that the things he can see are Fades.  Paul is special – he’s one of a small group of people who can see them.

Fades are the ghosts or spirits of human beings. Everyone who dies becomes a Fade. They cannot be seen, heard, smelt or touched by the living, and they are completely unable to interact with our world. The Fades should ascend, but for some reason, that isn’t happening. They’re trapped in a world they can’t experience.  And now an embittered and vengeful Fade has found a way to break the barrier between the dead and the living.

Soon the fate of humanity rests in the hands of two best friends who already have enough trouble surviving high school, let alone saving the world.

Creator Jack Thorne on the series: “What makes The Fades different is that it is a fantasy show rather than a science fiction show. It’s about fairly ordinary people, none of these people act or behave like they’re superheroes. The Fades is about the world itself being an extraordinary thing and how you battle it. This old school fantasy element combined with some pretty original characters – I hope is what will make people want to watch.”

“I think The Fades is a love story between Mac and Paul. As a kid I didn’t have a best friend that I could share everything with and could be a team with, and this show is about a kid that’s got one – it’s a love story about two best friends.”

Following The Fades premiere on BBC AMERICA, the next special of The Nerdist premieres at 10:00pm ET/PT and features host Chris Hardwick’s interview with star Lily Loveless in London.

Note to editors

Twitter:@BBCAMERICAHashtags: #TheFades

Photos:http://press.bbcamerica.com

 

CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS

Paul                                         Iain De Caestecker (Young Herriot, River City)

Mac                                         Daniel Kaluuya (Skins, Johnny English Reborn)

Neil                                          Johnny Harris (Snow White and the Huntsman, Whitechapel)

Jay                                           Sophie Wu (Kick-Ass, The Other Man)

Sarah                                       Natalie Dormer (The Tudors, Captain America: The First Avenger)

Mark                                       Tom Ellis (Merlin, EastEnders)

Helen                                       Daniela Nardini (This Life,Reckless)

Anna                                        Lily Loveless (Skins, Bedlam)

Meg                                         Claire Rushbrook (Whitechapel, Ashes to Ashes)

Natalie                                     Jenn Murray (The Day of the Triffids)

PC Phillip Firth                          Theo Barklem-Biggs (The Inbetweeners Movie, EastEnders)

DC Armstrong                           Robbie Gee (Snatch)

Writer                                     Jack Thorne (This is England ’86, Skins, Shameless)

Director                                   Farren Blackburn (Survivors, Silent Witness)

Director                                   Tom Shankland (The Children, Clocking Off)

Executive Producer                    Susan Hogg (Waking the Dead, Lark Rise to Candleford, Survivors)

Producer                                  Caroline Skinner (Doctor Who, Five Days)

A BBC/BBC AMERICA Co-Production

 

EPISODE SYNOPSES

Episode 1

Paul struggles with home and school life as apocalyptic visions haunt his dreams and a supernatural creature stalks his home town. When he crosses paths with an outcast loner named Neil, who can explain what Paul is seeing, his life is transformed. Episode 1 premieres Saturday, January 14, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

Episode 2

Neil goes underground to begin planning his fight back against the Fades and as Paul’s terrifying visions continue, Neil takes him to see an ancient Fade, who foresees Paul’s importance in the looming battle. Realizing how high the stakes have become, Paul decides the upcoming school dance will be his farewell to his old life. Meanwhile, Detective Constable(DC) Armstrong continues to investigate the growing number of missing persons cases in the town, completely unaware that they are being slaughtered by the Fades. Episode 2 premieres Saturday, January 21, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

Episode 3

As Paul’s powers manifest themselves, his friendship with Mac and relationship with Jay are pushed to the breaking point. Meanwhile, a host of new Angelics arrive in town just as the Fades’ plans evolve in a chilling new direction. Episode 3 premieres Saturday, January 28, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

Episode 4

Up is down and black is white as Paul’s family and friends struggle to cope in the aftermath of his accident. Meanwhile, the Angelics are torn apart by moral compromises and a strange new man with deadly intentions moves relentlessly through town. Episode 4 premieres Saturday, February 4, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

Episode 5

Paul came back to life for a reason, but he’s just not sure what that reason might be. Meanwhile, more Fades are being reborn and nothing can stop them. As they infiltrate the town, Paul’s home life and Angelic life are put on a collision course. Episode 5 premieres Saturday, February 11, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

Episode 6

A town left deserted, an Angelic on the edge of desperation, a Fade on the cusp of victory and a reluctant 17 year-old boy with visions of the apocalypse—it all leads to this final showdown. People will die. Ash will fall. It is inevitable. Episode 6 premieres Saturday, February 18, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

 

UK PRESS

“Fantasy series The Fades joins Misfits, Skins and Being Human in demonstrating that youth drama is among the most bold and innovative on TV.” – Guardian

“It’s the chemistry between Iain de Caestecker’s Paul and Daniel Kaluuya as Mac that lifts The Fades above your standard ghost-busting romp.” – Metro

“This battle between good and evil exerted a mighty grip, demanding repeat viewing as soon as the credits faded away…How often can you say that about a TV show? The good news? The pearly gates were left open, hinting at a second series.” – Independent

 

UK COMEDY STARS JOIN MATT SMITH IN THIS YEAR’S DOCTOR WHO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

BBC AMERICA TO BROADCAST U.S. PREMIERE OF BAFTA FILM AWARDS

BBC AMERICA CELEBRATES GOLDEN SUNDAY

• Kings Speech: Behind the Scenes special premieres along with Luther Marathon on Sunday January –

New York, NY – Just one week before America finds out who has triumphed at the Golden Globe Awards, BBC AMERICA pays tribute to the ceremony with a day of programming dedicated to two of the most talked about nominees. On Sunday, January 9 BBC AMERICA’s Golden Sunday will feature a marathon of the six-part miniseries of Luther – starring Golden Globe nominee, Idris Elba – before airing a 30 minute documentary,The King’s Speech: Behind The Scenes, including never seen before footage from the cast and crew behind the multi-award winning movie, which has seven Golden Globe nominations.

BBC AMERICA’s Golden Sunday begins with a special presentation of all six parts of Luther. Episodes will air back-to-back from noon, offering fans and newcomers to the series the chance to enjoy one of the year’s most talked about performances. Golden Globe nominee Idris Elba plays the title role about a brilliant and emotionally impulsive detective, who is quite possibly just as dangerous as the criminals he’s chasing.

The BBC AMERICA co-production was lauded by fans and critics alike when it was first broadcast on the channel in October.  TV Guide said it was, “Criminally good… Luther is Prime Suspect on crack,” USA Today called it a “…terrific six part thriller… you have to watch,” and Variety declared “Luther is well worth the investment… there haven’t been many recent offerings in this genre on either side of the pond superior to Luther.” The Luther marathon premieres on Sunday January 9, 2011 at 12:00pm ET.

The King’s Speech: Behind the Scenes follows immediately after the marathon. Thanks to a deal with The Weinstein Company, BBC AMERICA will air a 30 minute documentary special including behind-the-scenes interviews with Colin Firth (King George VI), Geoffrey Rush (Lionel Logue) and Helena Bonham-Carter (Queen Elizabeth), as well as Director Tom Hooper, Producer Iain Canning and screenwriter David Seidler.

The interviews from cast and crew turn the spotlight on the relationships between the characters and the drive behind the movie, which tells the inspirational story of King George VI and his unlikely friendship with unorthodox speech therapist, Lionel Logue, who by working with the King helps him find his voice and boldly lead the country through war.  The King’s Speech: Behind The Scenes premieres on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 7:30pm ET and encores on Sunday, January 30 at 7:30pm ET.

Perry Simon, BBC Worldwide America’s GM, Channels says: “It is a real coup for us to be able to offer this special version of The King’s Speech: Behind The Scenes, telling the story behind this most inspiring and remarkable movie, and I can’t think of a more natural home for this story about the British monarchy than BBC AMERICA.  Golden Sunday also gives us the chance to re-tell the story of Luther, and showcase the talents of our Golden Globe nominee, Idris Elba. Both Luther and The King’s Speech are stunning examples of great content which thoroughly deserve their respective nominations at this year’s Golden Globes. We’re very proud of the British nominations and wish them every success when the awards take place on January 16.”

Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of The Weinstein Company added: “I’m delighted that we are working with BBC America for this special airing, it is the perfect home for this penetrating drama.”

Luther is a BBC and BBC AMERICA co-production distributed by BBC Worldwide. It was created and written by Neil Cross, the acclaimed suspense novelist and one of the lead writers on MI-5.

The Making of The King’s Speech is a Weinstein Company Production.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction.  BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more.  It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 68 million homes.

BBC AMERICA’S HIT SERIES DOCTOR WHO ENDS SEASON WITH A BANG

The new era of the BAFTA-winning series Doctor Who has broken BBC AMERICA ratings records and taken audiences on adventures to meet Vincent Van Gogh in Provence, vampire aliens in 17th century Venice and face-to-face with the Doctor’s horrifying foe and fan favorite the Weeping Angels. In the two-part season finale, it is now a silent menace that will finally catch up with the Doctor. Doctor Who two-part finale premieres Saturday, July 17, 9:00p.m. ET/PT and Saturday, July 24, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

While the Doctor (Matt Smith) and his new companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) have managed to side-step danger while exploring time and space, they continue to be threatened by a crack in the universe that first appeared on Amy’s wall in the season premiere. In the two-part season finale, they discover a message etched on the oldest cliff-face in the universe, a puzzle box opening from the inside and a love that lasts thousands of years. Their fates are drawing close around the time machine, the TARDIS, will this be the day the Doctor falls?

“The Pandorica Opens” is part one of the finale, marking the return of several famous villains of the series along with Professor River Song (Alex Kingston, ER, Flash Forward). According to legend, the Pandorica contains the most feared being in all the cosmos, a monster soaked in the blood of a billion galaxies. The Doctor’s friends unite to send him a terrible warning – the Pandorica is opening. But what’s inside, and can the Doctor stop it?

In part two of the dramatic season finale, “The Big Bang,” the universe is collapsing and the only hope for survival is a little girl who still believes in stars…

The two-part finale is written by lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Tintin, Sherlock, Coupling).

BBC AMERICA will present a Doctor Who fan screening of the two-part finale at Comic-Con in San Diego on Thursday, July 22 at 6pm. For more on the BBC AMERICA booth (#3629) and Doctor Who exclusive figurines and t-shirts visit http://bbcamerica.com/comiccon.

Doctor Who episodes are available, 24 hours after broadcast, to purchase and download from the iTunes Store, Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Amazon.com.

AMATEUR COOKS SPICE IT UP ON COME DINE WITH ME

Loosen your belt, fix yourself a cocktail and settle in for the worldwide hit cooking show, Come Dine With Me. The unscripted show follows four amateur but confident chefs competing for the title of the ultimate dinner party host. Come Dine With Me premieres Wednesday, July 7, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Each episode features four new strangers who each take turns at hosting a dinner party. Each believes they have what it takes to woo their guests and hopes their unique style will clinch them the title of best host. In addition to cooking, there’s also a large helping of reality on the menu as the rival hosts snoop around each others’ houses, criticize each other’s choices and go to great lengths to win the competition. At the end of each party, the host is judged by their guests and scored out of ten. The host with the most points at the end of the episode wins a cash prize.

The diverse mix of competitors inspire, amuse and outrage with their attempts to out-wine and out-dine each other. With gourmet guests judging every move, the culinary cracks start to show. Can the competitors rise to the challenge, or do they reach boiling point a little too quickly?

BBC AMERICA has commissioned 10 one-hour episodes of a U.S. version which premieres in early 2011. Produced by ITV Studios, shooting begins later this summer in participant’s homes across the NY-metro area.

BBC AMERICA CO-PRODUCES NEW DRAMA SERIES OUTCASTS

BBC AMERICA today announced the co-production of a new high concept drama Outcasts.  From Kudos Film & TV, the makers of award-winning and international hit series Life on Mars, MI-5, Hustle and Occupation, Outcasts takes viewers into a new world as it explores humans’ drive for power, politics and sex in a new post-earth era.  Created by Ben Richards (MI-5), the new explosive series stars Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty, The L Word), Liam Cunningham (Clash Of The Titans) and Hermione Norris (MI-5, Wire In The Blood).

·Outcasts (S1, 8 x 60) is a Kudos Film & Television, BBC AMERICA and BBC co-production distributed by BBC Worldwide

Production is now underway in South Africa with Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica), Daniel Mays (The Bank Job, Atonement), Amy Mason (Being Human, Torchwood) and South African actress and model Jeanne Kietzmann also cast in the series.

Outcasts is set in 2040 on a recently-discovered planet and tells of the dilemmas, loves and lives of a group of people setting up a new world. This life-sustaining planet is now home to the surviving population from Earth. Here there is a chance to start again, to bring the lessons learnt from Earth and to put them into action on a new planet.

The series begins on the day the last known transporter from Earth arrives, prompting great excitement on the new planet – who is on board? Friends and loved ones? Important supplies and news from Earth? But also many questions – will the new people bring the problems of Earth with them? Will the mistakes that destroyed Earth be repeated? Will the arrival of a new, would-be leader, rock the fragile and precarious equilibrium of the fresh, unified and courageous new world? And, most importantly of all, how do is a new and better world created?

Executive producers are Jane Featherstone, Simon Crawford-Collins and Faith Penhale for Kudos and Matthew Read for the BBC.

JULY – BBC AMERICA PREMIERES BAFTA AWARD-WINNING SERIES THE CHOIR

This U.S. premiere, BAFTA award-winning series, has spellbound UK audiences and created an unlikely reality star in choirmaster Gareth Malone as he attempts to recruit a choir in the most unlikely of settings. From schools with no tradition of music to blue collar neighborhoods in need of a community focus, Malone is a man on a mission. It’s an emotional journey of shocks and surprises, challenges and rewards with heartwarming results. At BBC America’s session at TCA in January, Gareth achieved the unthinkable by getting the journalists in attendance on stage to sing a rollicking rendition of “Barbara Ann.” This was a testament to both Gareth’s fearless passion to unite people in song and his ability to make it fun for everyone. The Choir premieres Wednesday, July 7, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

From hit TV singing contest shows, to musical based films and television series to millions of downloaded songs – singers are front and center. It could be said singing is everywhere, but where are the choirs? Classically trained Malone embarks on a groundbreaking journey to save the choir and prove it’s cool to sing together. Malone dives deep into the community’s culture discovering where classical music stopped and what will ignite these people to be inspired to unite and sing.

“Bringing people together for a common purpose and singing some of the most beautiful music that’s ever been written – I think everyone should have access to that,” says Gareth Malone. His three projects on this mission will challenge him to create choirs capable of performing at the world’s biggest singing competition – the World Choir Games in China, Britain’s acclaimed Royal Albert Hall and at a choral festival staged by Malone with hopes of attracting thousands of spectators to the struggling town of South Oxhey.

The first project begins when Gareth finds a school ready to let him try to turn his dream into a reality. Here he must start the first choir in Northolt High School’s history, and in only nine months transform 25 novice singers into a choir capable of competing at The Choir Games in China. Has he bitten off more than he can chew? For student Chloe Sullivan, whose shyness has caused her to have disciplinary problems, Gareth’s ability to pinpoint her issue and his refusal to give up on her, proves this is a life changing venture. But will this group of students, many with records of truancy, underachievement and very raw singing abilities, overcome the odds and secure a place in the world competition?

Gareth’s next project leads him to Lancaster School, a large boys-only school where singing is a dirty word and even teachers are challenging his campaign to build a choir. The school has no real tradition of music and no formal choir. The kids have grown up listening to R&B and rap – worlds apart from Gareth’s classical upbringing, but he hopes to prove that singing is fun and can have a positive impact on their lives. Over two semesters, Gareth battles entrenched attitudes of both students and faculty, embraces a group of beatboxing boys, attempts to inspire a naturally talented teenager, Imran Siddique, whose antics threaten more than his future as a singer, and build a 100-strong choir good enough to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

On his final project, Gareth attempts to prove that beyond his ability to teach a group of kids to sing, he can lift the spirits of the entire community of South Oxhey. The town is struggling to shake off a poor reputation that stretches back decades. Here, with the help of members of the local boxing club, he builds both adult and children’s choirs and then realizes his overall vision for a single, grand South Oxhey choir. As a culmination of his nine-month project, Gareth decides to stage a choral festival in South Oxhey, which he hopes will attract an audience of thousands from the surrounding area. Has his choir helped change peoples’ perception of South Oxhey and has he finally convinced the town to value their new choir?

“What I really love about choir is it’s a great team effort. You work so intensively with that group and you’ll carry that experience and piece of music with you for the rest of your life,” says Gareth Malone.

At the heart of this series are people’s journeys overcoming fear, ripping down barriers and uniting to build something greater than they ever could have imagined.

BEING HUMAN IS BACK IN JULY

The highly anticipated second season of BBC AMERICA’s co-production, Being Human premieres this July. Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow and Aidan Turner return as George, Annie and Mitchell, the three twenty-somethings trying to live as normally as possible despite being a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. Being Human premieres Saturday, July 24, directly following the Doctor Who season finale.

After the death of vampire leader Herrick at the end of season one, the supernatural friends are hoping they can now get on with their lives, but an even greater danger is lurking, within the very human world of which they want to be a part. Unbeknown to the trio, the mysterious Professor Jaggat and her cold-hearted colleague Kemp – religious zealots who have discovered the existence of vampires, werewolves and ghosts- are determined to carry out brutal experiments and destroy them.

While Professor Jaggat and Kemp plot behind the scenes, werewolf George is coming to terms with the fact that he has Herrick’s blood on his hands, and a girlfriend who knows his horrific secret. Turning down the door of death has implications for ghost Annie, but her confidence is at a peak and she’s determined to stand up and be counted in the real world. And, with Herrick gone, Mitchell must appease an out of control vampire world – can he find a way to lead by example?

Being Human first premiered on the channel last July and quickly won over fans, with a sold out crowd at last year’s San Diego Comic Con. The Los Angeles Times said it “has not only avoided any sci-fi Three’s Company comparisons but wound up with a compelling, self-aware and funny story line. Buffy fans – come out of the Twilight and sink your teeth into this import” with The New York Times noting that “all three characters are highly appealing, but the charm of the show lies in the delicate balance of engrossing drama and disarming humor; the series is not campy or self-conscious, it’s witty in an offhand, understated way.”

The entire first season of Being Human is currently available on iTunes and Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

THE ’80S MAKE A COME BACK ON BBC AMERICA

BBC AMERICA’s Ashes to Ashes, the critically acclaimed sequel to UK hit Life on Mars, continues by fast forwarding a year to 1982, where leg warmers are cool and fluorescent is the color of choice.  While Thatcher is in her element at No. 10 Downing St, bullish Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister, Cranford, Life on Mars) is back, policing the streets in his politically incorrect and loud mouthed style. Ashes to Ashes Season Two premieres Tuesday, May 11, 10:00p.m. ET/PT.

Sassy Detective Inspector Alex Drake continues her fiery relationship with Hunt and though no nearer to getting back to her daughter, Alex believes she’s suspended in time and finally understands how the world around her works. But when she starts hearing news from the future, she realizes nothing is as it seems. Clinging on to fast fading hope, she discovers she may not be alone in her predicament. A mysterious stranger who also seems to be stuck in 1982 is making Alex doubt her current world is merely a figment of her imagination. Is he a friend who can help her get home or a foe who will destroy all she knows?

And while Gene Hunt saved her younger self from the car bomb that killed her parents, can she ever trust him enough to share in her extraordinary scenario? As she struggles to stay alive long enough to find a way home, it appears she needs him more than ever before.

“Alex becomes much more part of the team,” explains Philip Glenister. “But there is a police corruption theme running throughout the season so it does feel darker than season one; the corruption breeds a lack of trust and coherence which is unbalancing for everybody. However, viewers can still expect moments of high campness and there are some great one liners.”

DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster, Life on Mars) and WPC Sharon “Shaz” Granger (Montserrat Lombard) couldn’t be happier. He’s still trying his best to be the perfect “feminist” boyfriend and wants to take his relationship to the next level, but predictably DS Ray Carling (Dean Andrews, Life on Mars) continues to tease him about his romantic gestures. Ray’s also struggling to contain his emotions about the Falklands War, blaming the “Argies” and throwing his weight fully behind Maggie Thatcher. However, more testing times lie ahead for the trio.

Producer Beth Willis says, “The new season moves in a slightly different direction and we’ve really enjoyed developing the characters and Alex’s journey further. Gene and Alex’s relationship is so complex; it is very sparky and they obviously care for each other in a begrudging manner so it’s interesting to see how this evolves. Ray and Chris are still by Gene’s side, but when force legend Detective Superintendent “Supermac” Mackintosh (Roger Allam, The Queen, V for Vendetta) starts working with the team it looks as if Gene’s equilibrium could be broken.”

The arrival of “Supermac” seems like a blessing to the team because he’s been hailed as a star within the force and someone not to be messed with. However, it’s not long before Gene’s gut instinct tells him something isn’t quite right. Could this cop legend be up to no good?

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