Sky has announced a slate of new original British drama featuring stars including Dominic Cooper, Vanessa Redgrave, David Harewood and Kylie Minogue.
Included is a drama based on the life of the writer Ian Fleming, a season of films from acclaimed female screenwriters and directorial debuts for actors Idris Elba, Matt Smith and Marc Warren.
The content, which runs across Sky’s portfolio of entertainment channels, is part of the broadcasters commitment to invest £600 million per year in home grown programming by 2014.
In Fleming, to be seen on Sky Atlantic, Dominic Cooper takes the lead role in the series based on the life of the James Bond creator.
Playhouse Presents (Sky Arts), while giving directorial debuts to well known actors – a practice largely restricted to US television – also gives writing credits to Elba and Warren.
The one-off dramas have attracted a high calibre cast including Kylie Minogue, Mat Horne, David Harewood, Anna Friel and Vanessa Redgrave.
Warren will also appear in the two part conclusion to the BAFTA award winning Mad Dogs on Sky 1.
