Showtime Sets Premiere Date for Benedict Cumberbatch’s PATRICK MELROSE

Showtime is expanding its original programming lineup to air on Saturday nights.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s PATRICK MELROSE kicks things off on Saturday, May 12 at 9/8c. The five-part limited series is based on Edward St. Aubyn’s semi-autobiographical books. (David Nicholls adapted the books for television; each episode is based on one of the five novels in the series.)

“As the size of our programming slate continues to grow, it makes sense for SHOWTIME to offer another night of premieres – allowing us the opportunity to eventize series like PATRICK MELROSE,” said David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc, in a statement. “Offering original content on Saturdays not only enables us to fully service our subscribers with diverse offerings, it gives viewers enough time to enjoy them all. And a series with the ambition and quality of PATRICK MELROSE is the perfect place to start.”

PATRICK MELROSE stars Cumberbatch as the title character, a man who is struggling to overcome the scars of his abusive childhood. (Cumberbatch is also an executive producer on the series.) The drama also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hugo Weaving, Anna Madeley, Blythe Danner, Allison Williams, Pip Torrens, Jessica Raine, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Holliday Grainger, Indira Varma, and Celia Imrie.

Check out a clip from the premiere of PATRICK MELROSE! Read more