This winter, Showcase’s all-new programming lineup includes action-packed espionage, a brazen mediator and a doubled-crossed detective. The channel ushers in three exclusive programs – the sleek spy series Covert Affairs, chic legal drama Fairly Legal and exceptional British crime drama Luther. Rounding out the schedule is the fireball return of Burn Notice, season two. All the action begins January 4, 2011.
The winter lineup kicks off with the 90-minute can’t-miss premiere of the smash-hit series Covert Affairs. Hailed by critics as “fast-paced, fun and every bit as charming” (LA Times), Covert Affairs introduces Showcase viewers to Annie Walker (Coyote Ugly’s Piper Perabo), a young CIA trainee thrust into the inner sanctum of the agency. Appearing to be promoted to field operative for her exceptional linguistic skills, her CIA bosses really chose her to execute their own agenda. Covert Affairs co-stars Christopher Gorham (Ugly Betty) as Auggie Anderson, Peter Gallagher (The O.C.) as CIA Director Arthur Campbell and Canadian starlet Kari Matchett (Invasion) as Joan, Arthur’s wife. Covert Affairs airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning January 9.
Legal dramedy Fairly Legal premieres on Showcase with a 90-minute episode hot on the heels of its U.S. launch. The series centres on Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi; The L Word), a top litigator at her family’s law firm. Fed up with the daily injustices of the system, she decides to become a mediator. Boasting legal smarts, savvy, and intuition, Kate is a natural at resolving any conflict – except when it comes to her personal life. Fairly Legal co-stars Virginia Williams (The O.C.) as Lauren, Kate’s wicked stepmother who happens to be her new boss, Michael Trucco (Battlestar Gallactica) as Patrick, Kate’s soon-to-be-ex-husband and Baron Vaughn (Invasion) as Leonardo, Kate’s geek-chic trustworthy assistant. Fairly Legal airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning January 31.
Returning for a sizzling second season in Burn Notice, Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) is on a dangerous new mission that could give him clues about his burn notice. Armed again with his trustworthy sidekicks Sam (Bruce Campbell) and Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), he continues to help those less fortunate while struggling to put his life back together. Burn Notice, season two airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning January 4.
Critically acclaimed BBC psychological crime thriller Luther stars Idris Elba (The Wire) as John Luther, a police detective with London’s Serious Crime Unit. Returning to work following a mental breakdown due to a traumatic investigation, he struggles to balance the psychological demands of his work at the same time as trying to save his crumbling marriage to his wife, Zoe (Indira Varma; Rome, Human Target). A brilliant, but severely damaged man, Luther battles his own demons, making him as dangerous as the murderers he hunts. Luther airs Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning January 7.
Movies get top billing on Saturday nights this Winter with the Showcase Saturday Night Movie block. The block features an unprecedented number of big-ticket, blockbuster Hollywood movies straight off-pay, including:
· Hancock – Starring Will Smith and Charlize Theron.
· Iron Man – Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges.
· Step Brothers – Starring Will Farrell and John C. Reilly.
* Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist – Starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.
* Paul Blart: Mall Cop – Starring Kevin James.
Full episodes of Covert Affairs, Fairly Legal and Burn Notice will be available on Showcase.ca the day after broadcast.
Showcase is a Shaw Media channel.
