Universal Channel announces raft of UK premieres
January 30, 2018
NBCUniversal International Networks’ general entertainment brand – has acquired UK television premiere rights to three brand new dramas: provocative medical series The Resident, premiering in April; Gone, the missing-person crime procedural, premiering in March; and The Disappearance, the shocking six-part mystery series, premiering in February.
“Universal is set to grip viewers over the coming months with a stellar line-up of UK premieres that are sure to be a huge talking point,” commented Lee Raftery, MD UK & Emerging Markets and Chief Marketing & Content Officer NBCUniversal. “The exclusive acquisitions of The Resident, Gone and The Disappearance, are exciting additions to our upcoming schedule, reinforcing our commitment to providing viewers with high-quality drama that features compelling characters.”
The Resident, acquired from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, follows an idealistic young doctor, Devon Praves (Manish Dayal, 90210), during his last few years of training. Under the supervision of a tough and brilliant senior resident, Conrad Hawkins (Matt Czuchry, The Good Wife), he soon discovers his chosen profession is not what he imagined and that ethical lines are often blurred. Ripping back the curtain to reveal the truth of what really happens in modern medicine, this powerful series also stars Emily VanCamp (Revenge), Moran Atias (24: Legacy), Merrin Dungey (Big Little Lies), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Billions), Melina Kanakaredes (CSI: NY) and Bruce Greenwood (The People v. O.J. Simpson).
Gone, acquired from NBCUniversal International Distribution, tells the story of Kit “Kick” Lanigan (Leven Rambin, The Hunger Games), the survivor of a famous child-abduction case, and Frank Novak (Chris Noth, The Good Wife), the FBI agent who rescued her. Determined never to fall victim again, as an adult Kick has trained herself in martial arts and the use of firearms. She finds her calling when Novak persuades her to join a special task force dedicated to solving abductions and missing persons’ cases. Paired with former Army intelligence officer John Bishop (Danny Pino, Law & Order: SVU), along with other team members, Agent Kennedy (Tracie Thoms, Cold Case) and James Finley (Andy Mientus, Smash), the team work to solve cases and bring victims home.
The Disappearance, also acquired from NBCUniversal International Distribution, is a tense drama centered around the Sullivan family and the unexplained, sudden disappearance of their son, Anthony Sullivan, during a scavenger hunt on the day of his tenth birthday. The series – Canada’s #1 new Canadian drama this past fall – follows the family as the complex and emotionally fraught mystery of their child’s disappearance unfolds. While both the police and family conduct their own investigations, long-buried family secrets rise to the surface leaving an unforeseen impact on every member of the Sullivan family. Peter Coyote (E.T.) stars alongside Aden Young (Rectfy), Camille Sullivan (The Man In The High Castle), Joanne Kelly (Warehouse 13), Micheline Lanctôt (Unité 9), Kevin Parent (Café de Flore) and newcomer Michael Riendeau.
The Disappearance will premiere in the UK on Universal on 27 February at 9pm, launching with a double-bill. Gone will premiere on 19 March at 9pm, followed by The Resident in April.