BBC America Sets DOCTOR WHO Spin-Off, Adele Special & More

BBC America made a series of announcements at today's TCA including:

· Class, a companion for hit series Doctor Who, from American young adult writer Patrick Ness, will be co-produced by BBC AMERICA.

· Prey, a high-octane thriller starring John Simm, Philip Glenister and Rosie Cavaliero, will premiere in February 2016.

· And a Valentine's Day special will feature pop culture phenomenon Adele.

"With each of these shows we aim to cut through the noise and provide the innovation and originality our fans have come to love and celebrate," said Sarah Barnett, President BBC AMERICA. "We're excited about a fresh twist on the DOCTOR WHO universe, an unconventional take on the crime drama that keeps you guessing at every turn, and an audience with the fabulous Adele."

The eight-part series, Class, will be co-produced by BBC America marking the TV screenwriting debut of acclaimed author Patrick Ness, best known for his award-winning book A Monster Calls. Set in a school in contemporary London, it is executive produced by Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin, the team behind Doctor Who.

"I'm astounded and thrilled to be entering the DOCTOR WHO universe, which is as vast as time and space itself," said Ness. "I can't wait for people to meet the heroes of Class, to meet the all-new villains and aliens, to remember that the horrors of the darkest corners of existence are just about on par with having to pass your exams," he joked.

Produced by BBC Cymru Wales and filmed in Cardiff, Class will premiere in 2016.

Gripping six-part thriller, Prey, will premiere on BBC America starting Thursday, February 25, 10:00pm ET. Playing out as two three-part stories, the BAFTA-nominated series is produced by Red Production Company and created and written by critically acclaimed TV newcomer Chris Lunt.

In the first three episodes, John Simm (The Village, Life on Mars, State of Play) is Detective Constable Marcus Farrow, a man on the run, who will do things he never thought possible to clear his name for the sake of his family.

The second story stars Philip Glenister (Mad Dogs, Ashes to Ashes) as prison officer David Murdoch whose life spirals out of control when he receives an unexpected phone call threatening the life of his pregnant daughter.

Rosie Cavaliero, (Pat and Cabbage, A Young Doctor's Notebook) is Detective Sergeant Susan Reinhardt, a recurring character tasked with catching them.

Prey is produced by Tom Sherry (Scott & Bailey, New Tricks) with Red Production company founder Nicola Shindler (Unforgiven, Last Tango in Halifax) as Executive Producer.

The first three episodes are directed by BAFTA-winner Nick Murphy (The Awakening, Occupation, Blood). The second three are directed by Lewis Arnold (Banana, Misfits, Humans).

Finally, in Adele: Live in London, the singer-songwriter is joined by her band to perform classic tracks, as well as songs from her new album 25. The show includes the first TV performance of Skyfall since the 85th Academy Awards, where Adele won the Oscar for Best Original Song for the theme tune to the 23rd James Bond film. The special is hosted by Graham Norton and premieres on BBC America on Sunday, February 14, 10:00 pm ET.

"This is the music event of the year," said Graham Norton. "This opportunity to spend an hour with Adele, her music and her stories is a truly rare treat. If I wasn't hosting this special I'd be sad at home watching it!"

Adele: Live in London (aired as Adele At The BBC on BBC ONE) is executive produced by Guy Freeman for BBC Events.

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