Sky Atlantic Sets May UK Premiere Date For ‘Patrick Melrose’ Starring Benedict Cumberbatch
‘Patrick Melrose’, the new five-part Sky Original Production starring Benedict Cumberbatch will be available on demand, on NOW TV and on Sky Atlantic in May it has been announced.
Based on the acclaimed semi-autobiographical novels by Edward St Aubyn, the drama follows the harrowing yet hilarious journey of Melrose, played by Oscar nominee and Emmy winning Cumberbatch, in a true television saga that sweeps through the South of France in the 60s, New York in the 80s and Britain in the early 2000s.
Each episode of the drama is devoted to one of the five Patrick Melrose novels, and skewers the upper class as it tracks its protagonist’s outrageous journey, from a deeply traumatic childhood through to adult substance abuse and, ultimately, towards recovery. The Patrick Melrose saga is subversive, savage and above all funny.
Cumberbatch is joined by a star-studded cast which includes includes Hugo Weaving (‘The Matrix’ trilogy), Jennifer Jason Leigh (‘The Hateful Eight’), Anna Madeley (‘The Crown’), Blythe Danner (‘Meet the Fockers’), Allison Williams (‘Girls’), Pip Torrens (‘The Crown’), Jessica Raine (‘Call the Midwife’), Prasanna Puwanarajah (‘Doctor Foster’), Holliday Grainger (‘Strike’), Indira Varma (‘Game of Thrones’) and Celia Imrie (‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’).
All five episode of the series have been adapted for tv by BAFTA Award nominee David Nicholls (‘Far from the Madding Crowd’, ‘One Day’). Director Edward Berger (‘Deutschland 83’, ‘Jack’) has been in charge behind the camera, recreating each era with a unique visual style for each episode.
“Bravery and distinction are core to all original drama on Sky Atlantic,” commented Anne Mensah, head of drama for Sky. “Through anti-hero Patrick Melrose, we will be offering viewers a compelling window into a world of privilege, cruelty and greed – crucially both a disturbing and a funny tale. We are so excited to welcome this amazing story and a huge thank you to Benedict, David and the whole team.”
‘Patrick Melrose’ will be available on demand from Sunday 13th May 2018 and air at 9pm that day on Sky Atlantic and TV streaming service NOW TV.
