Sky Atlantic acquires Ray Donovan from CBS Studios International

·        A SHOWTIME® series starring Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight

·        Launching exclusively on Sky Atlantic HD in July

Sky Atlantic HD today (Tuesday 28 May, 2013) announces a deal with CBS Studios International for the exclusive UK television rights to the US drama series RAY DONOVAN. The announcement was made today by Sarah Wright, Controller of Acquisitions at Sky, Lucy Criddle, Senior Acquisitions Manager at Sky and Stephen Tague, Senior Vice President Europe, CBS Studios International.

Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, RAY DONOVAN stars Emmy® and Golden Globe® award nominee Liev Schreiber in his first lead television role as LA’s best professional fixer. Ray is the man called in to make the city’s celebrities’, superstar athletes’, and business moguls’ most complicated and combustible situations go away. This powerful drama unfolds when his father, Mickey Donovan (Oscar® winner Jon Voight), is unexpectedly released from prison, setting off a chain of events that shakes the Donovan family to its core.

Ray works with two associates – the imposing Avi (Steven Bauer) and laconic, hardboiled Lena (Katherine Moenning). Most of Ray’s work is for Goodman/Drexler, the most powerful law firm in town led by his confidante and mentor Ezra Goodman (Elliott Gould), and his partner, Lee Drexler (Peter Jacobson).

The only problems he can’t fix are those involving his own damaged South Boston family. Ray’s brother Bunchy (Dash Mihok) was abused by a priest and now can’t stay sober; his brother Terry (Eddie Marsan) was left in the boxing ring too long and developed Parkinson’s; while they are haunted by the memory of their little sister, who committed suicide when she was a teenager. Additionally, his wife Abby (Paula Malcomson) is still adjusting to their west coast, suburban life while raising their two children, Bridget (Kerris Dorsey) and Conor (Devon Bagby).

Two-timeOscar® nominee and Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner James Woods will also appear in a recurring role as Patrick ‘Sully’ Sullivan, who has a complicated history with the Donovan family, while Rosanna Arquette will guest star as Linda, a former starlet who befriends Ray’s father Mickey.

Lucy Criddle commented: “I’m thrilled to add RAY DONOVAN to Sky Atlantic’s impressive slate of US programming. This is just the kind of quality series that defines the channel’s brand and fits in perfectly alongside the award-winning shows we pride ourselves on bringing exclusively to our customers.”

Stephen Tague, Senior Vice President Europe, CBS Studios International, said:  "The acquisition of RAY DONOVAN is another milestone in the long-running relationship between CBS Studios International and BSkyB. With the calibre of talent attached to this project, we have no doubt RAY DONOVAN has found its home on one of the UK's premiere channels."

RAY DONOVAN is created and executive produced by Ann Biderman (Southland), who also wrote the pilot episode. The series is also executive produced by Mark Gordon and Bryan Zuriff.

RAY DONOVAN is a SHOWTIME® production and the pilot was directed by Allen Coulter (The Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy), who also serves as producer on both the pilot and the second episode of the series.

RAY DONOVAN’s first season will consist of twelve episodes and will launch on Sky Atlantic HD in July (Week 29).

Notes to editor

For more information contact:

Claire Wilson
Senior Publicist, Sky Atlantic HD
T: +44 (0)20 7032 3071
M: +44 (0)7920 027 764
claire.wilson@bskyb.com

www.skypressoffice.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @skyatlantic

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