Channel 5 Acquires the Hottest U.S. Drama of the Year: The Gotham City Origin Series, “Gotham”
(August 6, 2014 – London) – Channel 5 has added a white-hot drama to their autumn schedule with the exclusive acquisition of “Gotham,” the standout show from May’s LA Screenings and one of the most hotly anticipated U.S. drama launches this year.
Channel 5’s Head of Acquisitions, Katie Keenan, brokered the deal: “I don’t think there was a more exciting show at the LA Screenings this year – ‘Gotham’ is a thrilling drama built on iconic characters that fascinate. Channel 5 is delighted to become the home of such a powerful, bold and visually stunning show. Its acquisition proves we continue to be committed to the biggest in U.S. drama.”
Drawing on the origin story of a pre-Batman Gotham City, the series follows the young Detective (and future Commissioner) James Gordon and the recently orphaned Bruce Wayne in the dark days before the arrival of the Dark Knight. With a stellar cast including Ben McKenzie (“Southland,” “The O.C.”), Donal Logue (“Sons of Anarchy,” “Vikings,” “Terriers”), Jada Pinkett Smith (“The Matrix Reloaded,” “Ali,” “Collateral,” “HawthoRNe”) and Sean Pertwee (“The Musketeers,” “Elementary,” “Luther,” “The Tudors”), the series follows Gordon's rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner as he navigates the layers of corruption that secretly rule Gotham City – the spawning ground of the world's most iconic villains, the larger-than-life personas who would become Catwoman, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face and The Joker.
The action-packed series draws on the stories of the great DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer/writer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist,” “Rome”), this one-hour drama follows one cop's rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil and chronicles the genesis of one of the most popular super heroes of our time. Brave, earnest and eager to prove himself, the newly minted detective Gordon (McKenzie) is partnered with the brash, but shrewd police legend Harvey Bullock (Logue), as the two stumble upon the city's highest-profile case ever: the murder of local billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne.
At the scene of the crime, Gordon meets the sole survivor: the Waynes' hauntingly intense 12-year-old son, Bruce (David Mazouz – “Touch”), toward whom the young detective feels an inexplicable kinship. Moved by the boy's profound loss, Gordon vows to catch the killer. As he navigates the often-underhanded politics of Gotham's criminal justice system, Gordon encounters imposing gang boss Fish Mooney (Pinkett Smith), mob kingpin Carmine Falcone (John Doman – “The Wire”) and many of the characters who will become some of DC Comics' most renowned, enduring villains, including a teenaged Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman (Camren Bicondova), Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor – “The Walking Dead”) and Edward Nygma/the future Riddler (Cory Michael Smith). Although the crime drama follows Gordon's turbulent and singular rise through the Gotham City police department, it also focuses on the unlikely friendship Gordon forms with the young heir to the Wayne fortune, who is being raised by his unflappable butler, Alfred Pennyworth (Pertwee) – a friendship that will last them all of their lives and will play a crucial role in helping the young boy eventually become the crusader he's destined to be.
Based upon the characters from DC Comics and produced by Warner Bros. Television, “Gotham” is executive produced by Bruno Heller (who wrote the pilot), Danny Cannon (who directed the pilot) and John Stephens. Premiering in the U.S. on September 22, 2014 (Mondays at 8/7c on FOX), the series is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.
About Channel 5:
Channel 5 launched as Britain's fifth terrestrial broadcaster in March 1997. It currently attracts well over 42 million viewers a month.
Channel 5 acquires the best of international drama –“Under the Dome,” “Person of Interest,” “Castle,” “CSI,” “Law & Order,” “The Mentalist,” “NCIS,” “Wentworth Prison” and “Love/Hate.” Aussie soaps “Neighbours” and “Home and Away” continue to delight. For sports fans Channel 5 is the terrestrial home of all England Cricket summer Internationals and regular title boxing.
It delivers programmes that combine creative flair and popular appeal, and continues to bring viewers a mix of smart new shows that sit alongside popular long running series such as “Killers Behind Bars,” “Botched Up Bodies” and “Benidorm ER.” “Big Brother” and “Celebrity Big Brother” are well established in the schedule – and stripped of any pretentiousness about “social experiments” are focused on real life entertainment. They sit alongside ratings stalwarts like “The Hotel Inspector.”
“5 News Tonight” debates the main topics of the day, while the channel is committed to children’s programming with their award winning strand “Milkshake!” Sister channels 5* and 5USA compliment Channel 5 with a mix of must see entertainment and U.S. Drama.
For all the latest about Channel 5, follow us @channel5press and @channel5_tv
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