Showtime Orders RAY DONOVAN and MASTERS OF SEX to Series

Showtime has added two more series to its already-packed schedule — a family drama, RAY DONOVAN; and MASTERS OF SEX, an adaptation of Thomas Maier’s book Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, The Couple Who Taught America How To Love.

“RAY DONOVAN and MASTERS OF SEX, each in their own distinctive ways, represent the caliber of programming we want to bring to our subscribers,” said David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. in a statement. “Both series are ambitious and expansive, and feature great writing and great acting. I’m so excited for viewers to experience these two new dramas, which I believe will prove to be fantastic complements to our current slate of programming.”

So what exactly are these new shows about?

According to Showtime, “Starring Liev Schreiber in his first series regular role, RAY DONOVAN takes a novelistic look at contemporary Los Angeles. A richly textured family drama, the series centers on Ray (Schreiber) as L.A.’s best professional “trouble shooter.” He’s the one called in to solve the complicated, confidential and controversial problems of the city’s elite. He can make anyone’s problems disappear…except the ones he can’t escape created by his own damaged Boston “Southie” family. The series’ all-star cast includes legendary actors Jon Voight as the ex-con Donovan clan patriarch and Elliot Gould as Ray’s long-time client and mentor, along with Eddie Marsan (War Horse, Sherlock Holmes) and Dash Mihok (I Am Legend), who will play Ray’s brothers, and Paula Malcomson (The Hunger Games) in the role of Ray’s wife, “Abby.” Additional cast includes Kate Moennig (The L Word), Steven Bauer (Breaking Bad), Pooch Hall (The Game), Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!), Kerris Dorsey (Moneyball), Devon Bagby and Peter Jacobson (House). RAY DONOVAN was created and executive produced by Ann Biderman (Southland). The series will also be executive produced by The Mark Gordon Company’s Mark Gordon and Bryan Zuriff. RAY DONOVAN is a SHOWTIME production and the pilot was directed by Allen Coulter (Nurse Jackie and Sons of Anarchy pilots), who also serves as producer.

“MASTERS OF SEX stars Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan, who will portray the real-life pioneers of the science of human sexuality, William Masters and Virginia Johnson. The series chronicles the unusual lives, romance and pop culture trajectory of Masters and Johnson. Their research touched off the sexual revolution and took them from a mid-western teaching hospital in St. Louis to the cover of Time magazine and nearly a dozen appearances on Johnny Carson’s couch. MASTERS OF SEX marks Sheen’s first regular series role for television. The series is an adaptation of Thomas Maier’s book Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, The Couple Who Taught America How To Love. The pilot episode was directed by Academy Award® nominee John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, and the current hit indie film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), who also serves as executive producer, and also stars Caitlin Fitzgerald (It’s Complicated), in the role of Masters’ wife, Nicholas D’Agosto (Heroes) and Teddy Sears (American Horror Story). Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor Beau Bridges and Margo Martindale also appear in the pilot. MASTERS OF SEX was created and executive produced by Michelle Ashford (The Pacific). The series will also be executive produced by Timberman Beverly Productions’ Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman, and Judith Verno. Michael Sheen and Tammy Rosen will serve as producers. MASTERS OF SEX is produced by Sony Pictures Television.”

Do either shows interest you?

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