91Èȱ¬

Dazzling new British drama will air in Australia this year following the conclusion of deals by 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Australia in advance of 91Èȱ¬ Showcase.

UKTV will premier Zen (3 x 50) from April 2011, with renowned actor Rufus Sewell 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.

In Upstairs Downstairs (3 x 50), one of the most loved television series of all time is brought back to life for a premiere on UKTV in June. With a fresh cast, including Keeley Hawes and Dame Eileen Atkins, and sumptuous production values, this superb 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.

UKTV will also premier DCI Banks - Aftermath (1 x 90) starring Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel) in April. The first of a compelling 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, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Australia's Head of Sales. "We are genuinely excited about bringing them to Australia this year."

More than 550 content buyers, many from Australia, gathered in Brighton, UK, last week to attend 91Èȱ¬ Showcase, the world’s biggest program market hosted by a single distributor.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Zen is a Left Bank Pictures Production for the 91Èȱ¬, co-produced with RTI (Gruppo Mediaset), Masterpiece, ZDF and Ingenious Broadcasting in association with LipSync Productions and 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide.

Upstairs Downstairs is a 91Èȱ¬/Masterpiece co-production.

DCI Banks is a Left Bank Pictures production for ITV.

Fiona Bickerstaff