ITV Gains Broadcast Rights To the Americans

Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution has entered an agreement with the U.K.’s largest commercial network, ITV, for the broadcast rights to the new, highly-anticipated drama The Americans starring Golden Globe® Award-winning actress Keri Russell (Felicity) and Matthew Rhys (Brothers and Sisters).
ITV has made a two-year commitment to The Americans which is slated to premiere on the channel in the coming months.
The agreement was concluded by Steve Cornish, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and Sasha Breslau, Head of Acquired Series for ITV.
Steve Cornish commented: "The Americans is a first class production with an excellent cast and compelling storylines. We have had a huge response to the show from international broadcasters since we launched it at MIPCOM and are delighted to have secured this two year deal with ITV."
Angela Jain, Director of Digital Channels and Acquisitions at ITV, added: "We are delighted that a series of such high quality with really fantastic lead performances from Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys will be on ITV later this year. This drama about KGB spies posing as a suburban American couple is tense, taut and exciting to watch, we hope viewers will enjoy the ride."
In the U.S., The Americans is scheduled for premiere on January 30, 2013 on FX Network.
Created by Joe Weisberg (Falling Skies, Damages) The Americans centers on the arranged marriage of two KGB spies, Phillip (Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Russell), who pose as Americans in suburban Washington, D.C. shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President. The couple has two children who know nothing about their parents’ true identity. Their relationship grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War and the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control. Complicating their relationship further is Phillip’s growing sense of affinity for America’s values and way of life. Tensions also heighten upon the arrival of a new neighbor, Stan (Noah Emmerich, Miracle, Warrior), an FBI agent working in counter intelligence.
The Americans is co-produced by Fox Television Studios and FX Productions. The series is executive produced by Weisberg, who is also showrunner. Graham Yost (Justified, Boomtown), Joel Fields (Rizzoli & Isles) and Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank (Falling Skies, Smash) and Justin Falvey (Falling Skies, The Borgias) are also executive producers.
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