0/5

UKTV picks up Rufus Sewell drama

Zen, DCI Banks: Aftermath and yes, Upstairs Downstairs, will all air on UKTV by mid year.

UKTV has picked up a number of new titles from BBC Worldwide: Zen, DCI Banks: Aftermath and Upstairs, Downstairs*.

Zen (3 x 50) features Rufus Sewell who publicity notes indicates will star as “the eponymous Italian detective who always puts honesty before advancement. It brings passion, intrigue and humour to a series set against the visually rich backdrop of Rome at its most stunning.” It will air in April.

Upstairs Downstairs (3 x 50), includes Keeley Hawes and Dame Eileen Atkins in a re-imagining by its original star and creator Jean Marsh is set against the historical backdrop of a Britain with a new King. “”With sexual, social and political tensions, it provides an evolving take on the master-servant relationship. It begins in June.

UKTV will also premiere DCI Banks: Aftermath (1 x 90) starring Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel) in April. The first of a series of psychological thrillers from the creators of Wallander, Aftermath “sets striking drama against the beauty and tranquillity of the Yorkshire Dales as Peter Robinson’s fictional detective comes to the small screen for the first time.”

“These dramas are at the very heart of a tremendous line-up of content for 2011” said Kaye Warren, BBC Worldwide Australia’s Head of Sales. “We are genuinely excited about bringing them to Australia this year.”

* Yesterday BBC dismissed an earlier UK report that indicated Upstairs Downstairs had been sold to the ABC.

5 Responses

  1. We enjoyed both the first episode of Zen and of DCI Banks very much. It is a great pity that the BBC decide to cancel Zen after only 3 episodes.
    When will we see the other 2 episodes of Zen and are there more episodes of DCI Banks and if so when will they be aired?

  2. really excited by this news…looking forward to upstairs downstairs and i saw the actor from zen being interviewed and they showed some promos, which looked stunning. I am currently enjoying wallander so DCI banks may be good although ive never liked stephen tomkinson as an actor. i just wish uktv would pick up dowton abbey before channel 7 butchers it

  3. “includes Keeley Hawes and Dame Eileen Atkins in a re-imagining by its original star and creator Jean Marsh”

    Actually Jean Marsh is also in it reprising her old role as Rose and the show was created by both she and Dame Eileen.

    Dame Eileen had intended to be in the original series with Ms Marsh but proved unavailable and the character that was intended for her went to Pauline Collins instead.

Leave a Reply