Wednesday 18th March 2020
UKTV acquires Stumptown (18x60'), a US crime drama series from Disney Media Distribution, for its leading crime drama channel Alibi. Stumptown stars Cobie Smulders (Avengers, How I Met Your Mother) as sharp-witted, military veteran Dex Parios and Jake Johnson (New Girl) as ex-felon Grey, Dex's closest friend. The series will air on Alibi in the Spring.
Stumptown, a nickname for the city of Portland where the series is set, follows the life of Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders), a former army veteran turned private investigator, solving problems the police can't get involved in. Dex's intelligence and natural instinct to do what's right makes her perfect for the job, but her brash style and disregard for the rules often gets her in trouble. Struggling with PTSD after an explosion killed her childhood sweetheart in Afghanistan, burdened by heavy gambling debts and dealing with the responsibility of taking care of her younger brother, there is more to Dex than meets the eye.
The series also stars Jake Johnson as Grey McConnell, Tantoo Cardinal as Sue Lynn Blackbird, Cole Sibus as Ansel Parios, Adrian Martinez as Tookie with Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Cosgrove and Michael Ealy as Detective Miles Hoffman.
Stumptown was adapted for TV after the success of the 2009 graphic novel series of the same name. Writer Jason Richman produces the series with Ruben Fleischer, David Bernad, the graphic novel author Greg Rucka, and graphic novel illustrators Matthew Southworth and Justin Greenwood. The series is produced by ABC Studios. ABC Studios is a part of Disney Television Studios, a collection of studios comprised of 20th Century Fox Television, ABC Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios.
The deal was brokered by UKTV's head of acquisitions Emma Sparks and Disney Media Distribution
Emma Sparks said:
I am thrilled to have acquired a new scripted package from Disney Media Distribution, including the hit US crime series Stumptown, starring Cobie Smulders. The deal confirms Alibi's commitment to US acquisitions bringing exclusive new content and successful returning series.
Alibi's channel director, Emma Ayech added:
I am delighted to be bringing the hit series Stumptown to Alibi this spring. Cobie Smulders is outstanding as the unconventional PI Dex Parios, and has fantastic chemistry with her co-stars Jake Johnson and Michael Ealy. I think our viewers be instantly hooked on this smart, fun and pacey crime drama - an exciting part of Alibi's line up of fresh and original programming this year.
Dayna Donaldson, VP, Media Distribution, Disney UK & Ireland, and Nordics, said:
We are so pleased to partner with UKTV, strengthening our relationship with the broadcaster to bring successful crime drama Stumptown to UK viewers. We look forward to hearing the reaction from UKTV viewers' about the hit show.
As part of the Disney Media Distribution deal, UKTV have also picked up a third series of Harrow, starring Ioan Gruffudd and Reef Break, a 13-episode crime drama series.
Stumptown is the latest announcement for Alibi's slate of new shows this year, including Miss Scarlet and the Duke, starring Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders) and UKTV Original We Hunt Together, produced by BBC Studios, starring Eve Myles and Babou Ceesay.
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Notes for Editors:
For more information, please contact:
Gem Pinkney, Publicity Manager, UKTV
About Alibi
Sky 132/826, Virgin 126/200, BT 312/382, TalkTalk 312, TV Player
On demand on Sky, Virgin, BT and TalkTalk
Alibi is the only TV channel dedicated to crime drama, investigating the best selection from the genre and premiering hit series from around the world such as Harrow, Waco and I Am The Night. Alibi stepped into UKTV Original crime drama series with guaranteed thrills, twists and turns including last year's hit Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston and We Hunt Together following this year.
Now in its 13th series, Murdoch Mysteries has found a safe space on the channel while some of British TV's best-known detectives, including Miss Marple, enjoy a trip down memory lane. Hit British crime dramas including Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Silent Witness give the viewers another chance to catch their favourite shows.