Television
June 6, 2007
ITV Announces Key U.S. Acquisition “Pushing Daisies” From Warner Bros. International Television
(June 6, 2007 - London and Burbank, CA) — ITV has today announced the acquisition of a major new U.S. drama from Warner Bros. International Television for its family of channels.
From Bryan Fuller (“Heroes”) and Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”) comes PUSHING DAISIES, a unique new series offering an unprecedented blend of romance, crime procedural and high-concept fantasy. The “forensic fairytale,“ starring Golden Globe nominee Lee Pace (“The Good Shepherd”) and British star Anna Friel (“Brookside”), tells the story of a young man with a very special gift, and the people he touches, both literally and figuratively.
Once upon a time, a mild-mannered boy named Ned (Pace) realized he could touch the dead and bring them back to life. Now a pie maker, Ned puts his ability to good use, not only touching dead fruit and making it ripe with everlasting flavor, but working with a private investigator to crack murder cases by asking the victims to name their killers. But the tale gets complicated, as all tales do, when he brings his childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Friel), back from the dead. She encourages him to use his power to help others, instead of merely solving mysteries and collecting the rewards. Life would be perfect for the newly reunited couple, except for one cruel twist: if he ever touches her again, she’ll go back to being dead, this time for good.
PUSHING DAISIES is executive produced by Academy Award® winner Dan Jinks (“American Beauty”), Academy Award® winner Bruce Cohen (“American Beauty”), Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”) and Bryan Fuller (“Heroes”). It is produced by The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Bros. Television, and distributed by Warner Bros. International Television.
PUSHING DAISIES will premiere on ITV’s flagship channel ITV1 and will also play on ITV’s younger skewing channel ITV2.
Perhaps the most innovative series shown at this year’s L.A. Screenings, PUSHING DAISIES is receiving avalanches of advance praise from American television critics. Matt Roush of TV Guide says it is “Perhaps the most instantly delightful pilot since ‘Ugly Betty.’ … I've never seen anything quite like it.” Meanwhile, Robert Bianco of USA Today writes, “This romantic comedy about a shy man who has the power of life and death is the most creative, inventive, enchanting pilot since ‘Lost.’ ‘Daisies’ practically screams, ’I'm the one to watch.’” And New York Magazine announces PUSHING DAISIES is “Funny, imaginative and smart. … As feel-good fantasy-noir, it could be [the] next ‘Desperate Housewives.’”
Jay Kandola, Director of Acquisitions for ITV, said: “‘Pushing Daisies’ is a perfect fit for ITV’s family of channels, epitomising a fresh and unique style of programming from some of the most innovative producers and credible stars in American broadcasting.”
Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television, said: “The buzz and critical acclaim surrounding ‘Pushing Daisies’ made it a breakout show for broadcasters. We are thrilled that ITV has acquired this compelling series with a distinctly different look that will appeal to viewers across a broad demographic spectrum.”
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