Starz Greenlights New Original Series NOW APOCALYPSE

Starz, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), announced today the network has greenlit the half-hour comedy series "Now Apocalypse" created and executive-produced by Gregg Araki (Kaboom, Mysterious Skin). Araki will co-write and direct all 10 half-hour episodes of the sexy, vibrant and fast-moving series that has a flipside of mythic, dreamlike creepiness.

This surreal, coming-of-age comedy series follows Ulysses and his friends Carly, Ford and Severine, who are on various quests pursing love, sex and fame. "Now Apocalypse" explores identity, sexuality and artistry, while navigating the strange and oftentimes bewildering city of Los Angeles. Between sexual and romantic dating app adventures, Ulysses grows increasingly troubled as foreboding premonitory dreams make him wonder - is some kind of dark and monstrous conspiracy going on, or is he just smoking too much weed?

"Gregg brings an incredibly unique and adventurous story to the Starz brand and we cannot wait for the world to meet the bold, sexy and fun characters of 'Now Apocalypse'," said Carmi Zlotnik, President of Programming for Starz. "It's exciting to bring diverse and compelling storytelling to the screen as part of Starz's ongoing programming strategy to provide premium content to reach underserved audiences."

"If this isn't the craziest thing I've ever read, it's tied for first," said Oscar(R) and Emmy(R) Award-winning executive producer Steven Soderbergh (Logan Lucky, "The Knick"). "We will not be responsible for people's heads splitting in half when they see it."

Executive producing with Araki and Soderbergh is Gregory Jacobs (Magic Mike XXL, "Red Oaks"). All 10 half-hour episodes are co-written by author and Vogue.com sex columnist, Karley Sciortino, creator and host of "Slutever" on Viceland. Sciortino also serves as a consulting producer.

Starz retains all domestic multiplatform pay TV and SVOD rights to the series. Lionsgate retains all international and domestic distribution and home entertainment rights.

Senior Vice President of Original Programming Ken Segna and Manager of Original Programming Kathleen Clifford are the Starz executives in charge of "Now Apocalypse".

About Starz

Starz (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), is a leading global media and entertainment company that provides premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television networks and produces and distributes content for worldwide audiences, including its investment in the Starz PLAY Arabia OTT service. Starz is home to the flagship STARZ(R) brand and Starz ENCORE channels and provides high-quality, entertaining premium subscription video programming with 17 premium pay TV channels and associated on-demand and online services, including the Starz app. Sold through U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, telecommunications companies, and other online and digital platforms, Starz offers subscribers more than 5,000 distinct premium television episodes and feature films every year and up to 1,500 every month, including Starz Original series, first-run movies and other popular movie and television programming.

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