Taking a brief look at Showtime's crop of cable hits, it's clear they aren't afraid of taboo. There's a show about a drug-dealing mom (Weeds), a comedy about a sex addict (Californication), and a drama about a serial killer (Dexter). And that's before you get to the incest, beheading, and royal romps of The Tudors.
The cable channel isn't changing its approach, which it detailed at a recent press event in New York City. Showtime is picking up two more series that push the boundaries, the UK hit Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Tim Robbins' drama about a family in the pharmaceutical trade, Possible Side Effects, according to Broadcasting & Cable.
Call Girl is aptly titled--it's based on the naughty blog of a UK woman-for-hire and is already a hit overseas. The lead role of Belle is played by Billie Porter, who also starred in Doctor Who and was once a teen pop queen in her country.
The domestic debut of Call Girl will follow the season premiere of Weeds, which has been dated for June 16. It's a bit of an early start for the Mary-Louise Parker comedy, as Weeds usually sparks up in August.
Possible Side Effects has not been dated, and is compared to HBO's Six Feet Under.
Showtime also dated the second season of The Tudors. The continuing drama of King Henry VIII, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, will begin its rule on March 30. Tracy Ullman's new show, Tracy Ullman's State of the Union, will also premiere that night.
Showtime: your destination for legal and illegal drugs, saucy royalty, and sex.
Comments (12)
Huzzah for Weeds returning early!
Billie PIPER, not Porter
Rose was a great character. I look forward to seeing her in Call Girl.
The name of the doctor who girl is Billie Piper, not Potter!!!!, it's a british show, i know but it doesn't have anything to do with a teenage wizard!!!!
Billie Piper. Get the bloody name right.And then all you go watch Secret Diary of a Call Girl when it airs here, because it's amazingly fantastic.
I wonder if showtime will ever pick up Skins...
weeds is one of the best shows on tv...the earlier start is also really nice...but remember, weeds was techincally done with the strike 2 weeks ago or so, so maybe the writers got an early start on plans for the new season. I can't help but wonder, though, how the show is going to look/be now that they have pretty much left agrestic.
Showtime just keeps killing HBO with their shows.Can't wait for these new ones.
Geez. The actress is named Billie Piper and not Billie Porter. Glad to hear Call Girl is coming over, I've heard great thing about it.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl is a great choice for Showtime. I just hope ITV brings it back for a new season in Britain
OMG I love drugs and call girls too! Showtime, will you be my Valentine?
I am very happy to see The Tudors return! I immensly enjoyed Season 1.