NBC's SMASH Goes Global; to Air on UK's Sky Atlantic in 2012

Sky Atlantic HD has acquired of the exclusive UK TV rights to SMASH, the hotly anticipated new musical drama from NBCUniversal International Television Distribution.

Developed from an idea of Executive Producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (ER, Schindler’s List), SMASH (15 x 60’) explores the subculture of musical theatre; celebrating the beauty and heartbreak of Broadway.

Scheduled to air on Sky Atlantic HD in early 2012, SMASH was selected as one of eight honourees in the Most Exciting New Series category at the 2011 Critics' Choice Television Awards.

Boasting a stellar cast from stage and screen, SMASH stars Emmy award winning actress Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston (Prizzi’s Honor), Katharine McPhee (American Idol), Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean), Tony Award nominee Christian Borle (Legally Blonde: The Musical), Megan Hilty (Wicked) and Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek: The Musical).

SMASH centres on the complex and all-consuming process behind the production of an original Broadway musical. Successful songwriting duo and old friends Tom (Borle) and Julia (Messing) reunite to realise their dream of adapting the life story of screen icon Marilyn Monroe into a hit musical; recruiting tenacious producer Eileen (Huston) and brilliant director Derek (Davenport) to bring the production to the stage. Casting of the title role sparks conflict and rivalry between Karen (McPhee), a youthful, inexperienced beauty desperate to find fame in the big city, and Ivy (Hilty), a stage veteran determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break.

From its genesis, the “Marilyn” project is a rollercoaster ride of dramatic highs and lows for its cast and crew that will culminate on opening night, when the audience will determine whether or not the show is a “Smash”.

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