MASTERPIECE on PBS Announces New Podcast Downton Abbey, Sherlock Cast Interviews Kick Off “MASTERPIECE STUDIO”
Boston, MA; December 14, 2015—MASTERPIECE, the highly acclaimed drama series on PBS,announced today the launch of their new podcast titled “MASTERPIECE Studio.” The podcast will give an insider’s view to some of the most popular shows presented on MASTERPIECE, including Downton Abbey and Sherlock. A teaser for the podcast high- lighting upcoming episodes is now available at pbs.org/masterpiece, Audible.com and iTunes. The podcast will officially launch onMonday, December 21st with an interview with Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss, the co-creator, writer and actor who plays Sherlock’s brother ‘Mycroft.’ “MASTERPIECE Studio” is made possible by Audible, the world’s largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment.
Jace Lacob, writer, editor, and television critic, whose work has appeared in Newsweek, The Daily Beast, and BuzzFeed, will host the podcast. Lacob remarked, “I am thrilled to host this podcast and to sit down with the talents behind the amazing programs on MASTERPIECE. These intimate conversations with the cast and creators of Downton Abbey and Sherlock explore their experiences and inspirations and dissect the exciting twists and turns of these shows. These extensive interviews led to some surprising and personal stories that even the most ardent fans of these shows have never heard before.“
Rebecca Eaton, Executive Producer for MASTERPIECE added, “We know MASTERPIECE has devoted, loyal fans and our new podcast ‘MASTERPIECE Studio’ is another way for them to experience what they love about our programs – the great acting and incredible storytelling. We hope that anyone who loves British programs will come to hear how these amazing shows are made. And Jace Lacob is the perfect host.” MASTERPIECE on PBS is presented by WGBH.
The first two full episodes have been announced: On December 21, there will be an interview with Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss leading up to the Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, a 90-minute special, premiere on Friday, January 1, 9 PM ET on MASTERPIECE. On December 28, “Downton Abbey: The Final Season Preview” will be available. Downton Abbey is a Carnival Films/MASTERPIECE Co-Production. Sherlock is produced by Hartswood Films for BBC One and co-produced by Masterpiece.
Beginning on January 4, the day after the premiere of the final season ofDownton Abbey on Sunday, January 3 at 9PM ET, “MASTERPIECE Studio” will release a new Downton Abbey themed episode every Monday following the Sunday night broadcast. Interviews include Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, costume designer Anna Mary Scott Robbins, and executive producer, Gareth Neame.
–more– In addition to one-on-one conversations, other features in the podcast include: A lively discussion led by Lacob with two other writers dissecting the previous night’s episode of Downton Abbey; Anatomy of a Scene, where actors and producers talk in detail about their most memorable scenes; and comments by Alastair Bruce, the on-set historical advisor to Downton Abbey who talks about a single fascinating historical detail in a recent episode, and what to look for in the upcoming episodes.
MASTERPIECE Studio is made possible by Audible
Funding for MASTERPIECE on PBS is provided by Viking River Cruises, Audible and The MASTERPIECE Trust.
For More Information, please contact: Amy Zack-PMK BNC 310-854-4739 [email protected]
About MASTERPIECE The top-rated primetime show on PBS, MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is Executive Producer. Funding for the series is provided by Viking River Cruises and Audible with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust. MASTERPIECE is known for presenting iconic shows such as Upstairs Downstairs, Prime Suspect, The Forsyte Saga, Poldark, Sherlock and Downton Abbey.
About Carnival Films Carnival Films is a division of NBC Universal International Studios and is the UK’s largest drama specialist. The company is responsible for the global TV sensation Downton Abbey, winner of three Golden Globes and twelve Primetime Emmy awards, including Best Mini-series. It is the most nominated non-US show in the history of the Emmy’s with a total of 59 nominations and is now in over 250 territories worldwide. Among numerous national and international awards, including three Screen Actors Guild Awards and three National Television Awards, the show has even garnered a Guinness World Record for highest critical ratings for a TV show, and the BAFTA Special Award in recognition of its outstanding global success. Downton Abbeyis executive produced by Carnival’s Managing Director Gareth Neame, who sold the production company to NBCUniversal in 2008.
Founded in 1978, Carnival Films has produced many hundreds of hours of popular drama both in the UK and US, including primetime series such as Poirot, Hotel Babylon, Whitechapel, Dracula and The Philanthropist, as well as mini-series such as C4’s iconic Traffik, David Nicholl’s The 7:39, David Hare’s Worricker Trilogy as well as William Boyd’s BAFTA-winning Any Human Heart, and Peter Morgan’s BAFTA-winning The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies.
The sixth and final season ofDownton Abbey is currently airing on ITV and will return to PBS in January 2016. Carnival’s latest series The Last Kingdom is airing on BBC TWO and BBC America. Stan Lee’s Lucky Man also airs on Sky One in 2016.
Carnival Films was recognised as best production company at the 2011 Bulldog Awards and 2012 Broadcast Awards.
–more– About AUDIBLE, INC. Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day. Audible was created to unleash the emotive music in language and the habituating power and utility of verbal expression. Audible content includes more than 250,000 audio programs from leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers. Audible is also the preeminent provider of spoken-word audio products for Apple’s iTunes Store.
For More Information, please contact: Amy Zack-PMK BNC 310-854-4739 [email protected]
MASTERPIECE Studio is made possible by
Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by