Starz Developing 'Pussy Valley' Drama from Playwright Katori Hall

At today's Starz Television Critics Association (TCA) presentation at the Beverly Hilton, Starz President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced the series development of "Pussy Valley." The scripted, one-hour drama takes an unflinching and unapologetic look at the lives of pole dancers working down in the Dirty Delta.

Creator and writer Katori Hall (The Mountaintop, Hurt Village, The Blood Quilt) will executive produce "Pussy Valley" with Chernin Entertainment's Peter Chernin ("New Girl," Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Heat); Jenno Topping (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Spy, Charlie's Angels); and Dante Di Loreto ("Glee," "American Horror Story," "The Normal Heart"). Khaliah Neal (3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets, Hard World for Small Things, "Famous Farrah") will serve as consulting producer.

Starz Developing Latino Series 'Pour Vida' Set in East L.A.

Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced at Friday's Starz Television Critics Association (TCA) presentation at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, Calif. that Starz is developing "Pour Vida," a series inspired by a short story by Richard Villegas, Jr. ("I [Heart] Babylon," "La Música Romántica"). Big Beach TV will produce with Marc Turtletaub (Little Miss Sunshine, Sunshine Cleaning, Safety Not Guaranteed), Dan Pasternack ("Portlandia," "Starved," "Beggars and Choosers") and Erin Keating ("Portlandia," "Bunk," "The Spoils of Babylon") executive producing.

"Pour Vida" follows twin sisters, Brook and Lyn Hernandez, who inherit an East LA building from their recently deceased aunt who raised them. They open Pour Vida, a new wine and tapas bar, in a building in Boyle Heights which houses a failing lesbian bar below and a village-like collection of Eastside denizens in three units above. Pour Vida is the sisters' attempt to put the "gente" in the "gentefication" of the historic barrio. They find themselves the only thing protecting the tenants from displacement, their aunt's legacy from erasure, and their neighborhood from the Great White Bridge about to bring jalapeño chicken hummus wraps to the 'hood. Brook and Lyn discover upon returning to East LA that they didn't just inherit a building - they inherited a pueblo. For Life.

Starz Developing Supernatural Thriller 'Maleficio'

On Friday, Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced at the network's Television Critics Association (TCA) presentation at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, Calif. that Starz has partnered with Televisa USA, a division of the Mexican media company Grupo Televisa, to develop the original series "Maleficio." The Starz and Televisa USA co-production is based on the popular Mexican production "El Maleficio," which originally aired in 1983-84 with 320 episodes to become one of the most successful telenovelas of all time.

The new supernatural thriller will center on Don Enrique De Martino, a powerful Mexican businessman who has made a deadly pact with the Devil. Writer and Producer Mauricio Katz ("Niño Santo," "The Bridge") will serve as showrunner. Pedro Peirano (No, "Niño Santo") will serve as executive producer and will co-write the first episode with Katz. Peirano, an award-winning Chilean director, screenwriter, journalist, cartoonist and television producer, wrote the film No, which was nominated for an Academy Award(R) for Best Foreign Film in 2013.

Starz Developing Supernatural Series 'Santeria'

Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced at Friday's Starz Television Critics Association (TCA) presentation at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, Calif. that Starz' diverse programming strategy continues with the development of "Santeria." Cuban writer and director Alejandro Brugues ("From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series," Juan of the Dead) and Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project, "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series") will executive produce and direct with Gregg Hale (Exists, Lovely Molly, The Blair Witch Project) serving as executive producer for the supernatural series.

Starz to Develop 'Havana Quartet' Starring Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas

Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced at Friday's Starz Television Critics Association (TCA) presentation at the Beverly Hilton that the network is developing Entertainment One Television's (eOne) "Havana Quartet" starring international film star Antonio Banderas (Evita, The Mask of Zorro, The Expendables 3). Celebrated Cuban writer Eduardo Machado (STARZ Original series "Magic City," "Hung") will write the pilot and executive produce with Banderas alongside Peter Nadermann of Nadcon Film, as well as Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films. eOne will serve as the studio and produce the hour-long drama series, as well as distribute the show worldwide.

Based on the popular four-book series of detective novels "Havana Blue," "Havana Gold," "Havana Red" and "Havana Black" written by acclaimed Cuban novelist Leonardo Padura, "Havana Quartet" follows hard-drinking, romantic Cuban Police Detective Mario Conde (Banderas) who longs to be a writer but settled for a job as a detective.

Starz Orders Fourth Season of Hit Original Series 'Black Sails'

Starz Emmy-winning original series "Black Sails" has been greenlit for a fourth season. The series is created by Jonathan E. Steinberg ("Jericho," "Human Target") and Robert Levine ("Touch") and executive produced by Michael Bay (the Transformers franchise, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor), and his Platinum Dunes partners Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Purge), as well as Chris Symes (Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Eragon) and Dan Shotz ("Jericho," "Harper's Island").

The ten-episode third season of the authentic high seas drama series, returning in 2016, follows the most feared pirate of the day, Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), and takes place twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Treasure Island." Season three has seen the addition of Ray Stevenson ('Rome," Insurgent, Divergent) as the iconic pirate 'Blackbeard.'

'Ash vs Evil Dead' To Premiere October 31 on Starz

Starz has announced the premiere date for its original series “Ash vs Evil Dead” on Saturday, October 31 at 9 PM ET/PT and released the first live action trailer during the series’ Comic Con panel in San Diego. The 10-episode first season of the half-hour series is executive produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, the original filmmakers of the franchise, and Craig DiGregorio who serves as executive producer and showrunner. “Ash vs Evil Dead,” which is currently in production in New Zealand, is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead.

Campbell reprises his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip.

The cast is led by Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) in the role of Ash Williams, Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus”) as Ruby a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks, Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers) as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick, Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past and Jill Marie Jones (“Sleepy Hollow”) as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner.

Raimi directed the first episode of “Ash vs Evil Dead” that he wrote with Ivan Raimi (Darkman, Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell), and Tom Spezialy (“Chuck,” “Reaper,” “Desperate Housewives”). Raimi also serves as executive producer, with Rob Tapert (Evil Dead, “Spartacus,” Xena: Warrior Princess”) and Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) along with Craig DiGregorio (“Workaholics,” “Chuck”) who serves as executive producer/showrunner. Ivan Raimi serves as co-executive producer and Aaron Lam (“Spartacus”) and Chloe Smith (“Spartacus”) serve as producers.

Starz Limited Series 'Flesh and Bone' to Premiere November 8

Starz today announced that Flesh and Bone, the eight-hour limited series created by Emmy award-winning Breaking Bad Writer and Executive Producer Moira Walley-Beckett, will premiere on Sunday November 8, 2015.

Flesh and Bone follows a young dancer with a distinctly troubled past as she joins a prestigious ballet company in New York. The dark, gritty, complex series unflinchingly explores New York City through the eyes of Claire, played by Sarah Hay (Black Swan), an emotionally wounded but transcendent ballerina navigating the dysfunction and glamour of the ballet world. Claire's self-destructive tendencies amid her vaulting ambitions drive her in compelling, unforeseeable ways, especially when she is confronted with the machinations of the company's mercurial Artistic Director, played by Ben Daniels (House of Cards, Law & Order UK) and an unwelcome visitor from her past.

Starz Releases First Look Teaser Trailer and Art for 'Ash vs Evil Dead'

The Starz Original series Ash vs Evil Dead released a first look motion graphic and teaser art for the 10-episode first season of the half-hour series executive produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, the original filmmakers of the franchise, and Craig DiGregorio who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. The teaser will premiere on-air during the Outlander premiere on Saturday, April 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Ash vs Evil Dead, which will film in New Zealand, is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead and is set to premiere on Starz in late 2015.

Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons -personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its "Evil" grip.

Starz and BBC Co-Produce 'The Dresser' Starring Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen

Starz, in partnership with the BBC, will produce and air the television adaptation of Ronald Harwood’s classic play “The Dresser,” set against the backdrop of World War II and inspired by Harwood’s own experiences as a dresser for the distinguished British actor/manager Sir Donald Wolfit. The movie for television will be directed by Richard Eyre, and stars Anthony Hopkins (Noah, Thor, Silence of the Lambs) as “Sir” and Ian McKellen (The Hobbit franchise, X-Men franchise, Lord of the Rings franchise) as his dresser “Norman.” “The Dresser” represents the first time Hopkins and McKellen have worked together. It is executive produced by Colin Callender of Playground Entertainment, Sonia Friedman for Sonia Friedman Productions, Polly Hilly, BBC Head of Independent Drama and Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning. “The Dresser” was commissioned by Stephenson on behalf of BBC Drama and BBC Arts and will air on BBC Two in the UK and STARZ in the U.S.

Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Starz, said, “‘The Dresser’ is a timeless and poignant story about the relationship between artists, and to have this classic play brought to life on-screen by such acting giants as Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen is thrilling. We are glad to be working in partnership again with the BBC and Colin Callender on this very special project, and to be establishing a relationship with acclaimed theatre producer Sonia Friedman.”

'The Missing' Returning to Starz for Second Eight-Episode Installment

An eight-episode sequel of The Missing has been ordered by Starz.

Starz has ordered a sequel to the Golden Globe nominated limited series The Missing. The new eight-part installment will again be written by brothers Harry and Jack Williams and unfold over two time frames but this time follows a new case, new characters and new location.

Using the terms "sequel" and "limited series" in what seems like a typical second season announcement emphasizes the distinction many series are trying to make these days. All the pros and cons of classifying as a miniseries versus a drama series are not clear, but one obviously impact is awards show nominations. The choice of competing against other miniseries or the top dramas may increase of decrease of odds of winning. In the case of Fargo, one simple writing credit recently made all the difference.

Starz Releases 'Outlander' Teaser

Starz has released a tease from the second half of Outlander Season One, which will resume Saturday, April 4 9 p.m. ET/PT. Watch the new video below:

Starz Developing 'Storyville,' George C. Wolfe to Serve as Screenwriter and Director

Starz has announced the series development of Storyville, which is set in New Orleans during the turn of the 20th century where prostitution was decriminalized and an exceedingly vibrant, hedonistic, celebratory subculture emerged and fueled the birth of jazz. Award-winning film and theater writer/director George C. Wolfe ("Nights in Rodanthe," "Lackawanna Blues," "Lucky Guy") will serve as screenwriter and director with Colin Callender's Playground Entertainment producing the series, led by Scott Huff, Vice President of Development and Production.

"We're glad to be working in partnership again with Colin Callender and Playground Entertainment on this series and with one of Broadway's most respected producers and directors, George C. Wolfe for the first time. His love and expertise in this particular world will allow us to take viewers back to turn-of-the-century New Orleans during the birth of jazz in the midst of profound corruption," said Starz Managing Director Carmi Zlotnik.

Storyville is based on an original idea by George C. Wolfe who won three Tony Awards for the 1992 Broadway musical “Jelly’s Last Jam” about Jelly Roll Morton whose career began in the Storyville district. Wolfe's theatre credits include directing Nora Ephron’s Tony-nominated "Lucky Guy" starring Tom Hanks in his Broadway debut and winning a Tony for his work on "Angels in America". Wolfe is repped by CAA.

Starz Miniseries 'The Missing' Premieres Tonight, Stars James Nesbitt, Frances O'Connor, Tchéky Karyo

The Missing premieres November 15 on Starz.

Starz limited series The Missing premieres on Saturday, November 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The eight-episode dramatic thriller, directed by Tom Shankland (Ripper Street) and written by Harry Williams and Jack Williams, centers on the psychological fallout and ensuing years-long manhunt resulting from the sudden disappearance of five-year-old Oliver Hughes while on holiday with his parents in France in 2006.

Tcheky Karyo, Frances O'Connor and James Nesbitt

The Missing goes inside the mind of a father, Tony Hughes, played by James Nesbitt (The Hobbit trilogy), desperate to locate his lost son. With help from local police detective, Julien Baptiste, played by Tcheky Karyo (Goldeneye), Tony embarks on an obsessive quest to find his son and those responsible for his disappearance.

A gripping puzzle with twists and turns at every stage, Tony's exhaustive search fractures his relationship with his wife, Emily, played by Frances O'Connor (A.I.: Artificial Intelligence), and threatens to destroy his life.

Told through a delicate and complex narrative, The Missing unfolds over two time frames simultaneously.

Watch a sneak peek of The Missing below:

'Outlander' Mid-Season Finale Airs Tonight on Starz

The mid-season finale of Outlander airs on Saturday, September 27.

The first half of Outlander Season 1 concludes on Saturday, September 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The mid-season finale finds Frank (Tobias Menzies) desperately searching for his missing wife, while Claire tries to come to terms with her new marriage to Jamie. Claire is faced with an emotional quandary as a life-altering opportunity presents itself.

Watch a sneak peek of the episode below:

Starz Drama 'Power' Adds David Fumero as Series Regular

David Fumero. Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

One Life to Live alum David Fumero has landed a series regular role on season two of the Starz drama Power.

According to Deadline.com, Fumero will play Mike Sandoval, the handsome new Chief of the Crime Division, who has moved from Southern California to NY to make sure this prominent investigation is run correctly.

Fumero played Christian Vega in One Life to Live from 1998-2011. His other credits include CSI: New York, Manhattanites and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

JR Ramirez Promoted to 'Power' Series Regular

JR Ramirez, who recurred on the first season of the Starz drama series Power, has been promoted to regular for Season Two. The show centers on wealthy New York City nightclub owner James "Ghost" St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), who is living a double life as a kingpin. Ramirez plays Julio, second in command to Tommy (Joseph Sikora).

Ramirez was also recently cast as Ted "Wildcat" Grant on the upcoming third season of the CW's Arrow.

'Outlander' Renewed for Second Season by Starz

Starz Chief Executive Officer, Chris Albrecht, announced today that Starz has once again partnered with Sony Pictures Television to greenlight a second season of Outlander, the critically-acclaimed original series adapted from Diana Gabaldon's international bestselling books. Season Two will be at least 13-episodes and based upon the second of eight books in the "Outlander" series, entitled "Dragonfly in Amber."

The first 16-episode season of Outlander, filmed on location in Scotland, debuted on August 9th, 2014 at 9 p.m. PT/ET, with the first episode setting multiplatform viewing records, surpassing 5 million views in the first week alone, drawing equal male and female viewership (**SOURCE: Starz internal data and Nielsen audience figures as of 8/14/14). Additionally, the series premiere marked a notable media and social media success for the network, with fans hosting viewing parties around the country. It was No. 1 in Nielsen Ratings for Twitter conversation volume among all television series on premiere day, trended twice at No. 2 in U.S. Twitter Trends (**SOURCE: Sysomos).

Starz Original Series 'Power' Rises in Finale

Starz Original Series and summer breakout hit Power, finished strong in its season finale and has averaged about 4 million viewers per week to-date, with strong viewership among White and African-American viewers - both male and female audiences (18-49).* The New York-based drama, which has resonated strongly with African-American viewers throughout its eight-episode first season and stars Omari Hardwick, will premiere to more than 10 million new households on Encore Black beginning Tuesday, August 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT with a replay immediately following at 11 p.m. ET/PT.** Power will premiere one episode per week on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT for eight weeks on Encore Black through September 30. Additional replays will air on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Power episodes will also be made available weekly on ENCORE PLAY.

Viewership for Power grew throughout the strong first season. The finale's 9 p.m. results (2.9 HH rating and nearly 1.1 million viewers Live+SD) more than doubled the series premiere results (1.3 HH, 462K Live+SD), as the series became "appointment viewing" for its ever-increasing core audience.***

Starz Releases Opening Title Sequence from 'Outlander' (Video)

Outlander premieres August 9.

Starz has released a first look at the opening title song and sequence of its highly anticipated original series Outlander.

The opening showcases never-before-seen footage from the series, along with an arrangement of the "Skye Boat Song" by Emmy-award winning composer Bear McCreary featuring the vocals of songstress Raya Yarbrough.

The network first shared the main sequence upon over 1,500 enthusiastic fans at the Comic-Con world premiere screening of Outlander at San Diego's historic Spreckels Theatre on Friday night.

Watch the opening below: