MEDIA KIT AN EXCLUSIVE TELEVISION EVENT ABOUT SHOWTIME SHOWTIME is the provider of Australia’s premium movie channels: SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME 2 and SHOWTIME Greats. Jointly owned by four A HELL OF A PLACE TO MAKE YOUR FORTUNE MA Medium Level Violence Coarse Language of the world’s leading fi lm studios Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sex Scenes 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios, as well as global television distributor Liberty Media, the SHOWTIME channels are available on FOXTEL, AUSTAR, Optus, TransAct and Neighbourhood Cable. For further information contact: Catherine Lavelle CLPR M 0413 88 55 95 SERIES PREMIERE 8.30PM WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 3 - continuing weekly E [email protected] showtime.com.au/deadwood In an age of plunder and greed, the richest gold strike in American history draws a throng of restless misfi ts to an outlaw settlement where everything — and everyone — has a price. Welcome to DEADWOOD...a hell of a place to make your fortune. From Executive Producer David Milch (NYPD BLUE) comes DEADWOOD, a new drama series that focuses on the birth of an American frontier town and the ruthless power struggle that exists in its lawless boundaries. Set in the town of DEADWOOD, South Dakota the story begins two weeks after Custer’s defeat at Little Big Horn, combining fi ctional and real-life characters and events in an epic tale. Located in the Black Hills Indian Cession, the “town” of DEADWOOD is an illegal settlement, a violent and uncivilized outpost that attracts a colorful array of characters looking to get rich — from outlaws and entrepreneurs to ex-soldiers and racketeers, Chinese laborers, prostitutes, city dudes and gunfi ghters. Among the settlers are ex-lawman Seth Bullock, played by Timothy Olyphant (GO, GONE IN 60 SECONDS), the legendary gunfighter and scout Wild Bill Hickok, played by Keith Carradine (NASHVILLE, PRETTY BABY) and Machiavellian saloon owner Al Swearengen, played by Ian McShane (SEXY BEAST, WAR AND REMEMBRANCE). With its unfl inching realism, adult themes and wickedly inventive storylines, DEADWOOD is an intense drama that takes the elements of the traditional western and turns them upside down. CAST CREW Timothy Olyphant Seth Bullock Creator, Executive Producer Ian McShane Al Swearengen and Head Writer David Milch Molly Parker Alma Garret Co-Executive Producer Gregg Fienberg John Hawkes Sol Star Director, Producer Davis Guggenheim Keith Carradine Wild Bill Hickok Producer Scott Stephens Co-Producer Steve Turner Consulting Robin Weigert Calamity Jane Producer, Writer Jody Worth Paula Malcomson Trixie William Sanderson E.B. Farnum W. Earl Brown Dan Dority Brad Dourif Doc Cochran Jeffrey Jones AW Merrick Timothy Omundson Brom Garret Ray McKinnon Rev. H.W. Smith 1 Timothy Olyphant - Seth Bullock Best known for his role as the drug dealer ‘Todd Gaines’ in Doug Liman’s critically applauded fi lmGO , Timothy Olyphant stars in DEADWOOD as Seth Bullock, the famous Marshall from Montana who came to the rough town of DEADWOOD to instill some law and order with the help of Carradine’s ‘Wild Bill Hickok’. In 2003 Olyphant appeared in three fi lms including IFC’sTHE SAFETY OF OBJECTS opposite Glenn Close, New Line Cinema’s A MAN APART opposite Vin Diesel and Warner Bros’ DREAMCATCHER, directed by Lawrence Kasdan and co-starring Morgan Freeman. Olyphant also starred in the Sony Classic fi lm THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB with Dean Cain and John Mahoney. On television, Olyphant appeared in the HBO fi lm,WHEN TRUMPETS FADE by director John Irvin. He joined ABC’s critically acclaimed drama series HIGH INCIDENT which was created by Stephen Spielberg and Eric Bogosian for Dreamworks. Olyphant was born in Hawaii and raised in California. He studied fi ne art and theatre at the University of Southern California. Prior to acting, Olyphant swam competitively at USC and was a US National Finalist in the 200 individual Medley. Ian McShane - Al Swearengen International television, fi lm and stage star Ian McShane recently returned to production for season two as the charismatic ‘Al Swearengen’ following a wave of critical acclaim for the fi rst season that culminated in the actor receiving the Television Critics Association’s annual award for Individual Achievement In Drama. McShane’s performance was also singled out by Rolling Stone magazine, bestowing the title “Hot Barkeep” on ‘Swearengen’ and describing the character as “played to perfection by veteran Brit actor Ian McShane.” While on hiatus between seasons, the actor also took the opportunity to step into a role in the indie fi lm NINE LIVES as part of an ensemble cast for writer and director Rodrigo Garcia. McShane has starred in over twenty-fi ve fi lms. Highlights through his career include roles in THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, THE LAST OF SHEILA, VILLAIN (co-starring Richard Burton), EXPOSED and AGENT CODY BANKS. In Jonathan Glazier’s critically acclaimed indie SEXY BEAST, he gave a riveting performance transforming himself into the dark, sinister and very handsome character ‘Teddy Bass,’ prompting one London writer to declare, “McShane became ‘the king of cool’.” McShane has also enjoyed a long and creatively diverse career in both British and American television including a role in the David Wolper’s seminal 1970’s mini-series ROOTS. Last season he was seen on both 2 BBC and BBC America’s TRUST as the eccentric megalomaniacal head of the firm, Alan Cooper-Fozzard. Starring turns in WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY? for Granada TV, the role of ‘Heathcliff’ in WUTHERING HEIGHTS for the BBC and Harold Pinter’s Emmy-Award-Winning THE CARETAKER are among his other television highlights. McShane has also stepped into roles as well known figures, taking on parts as ‘Judas’ in NBC’sJESUS OF NAZARETH directed by Franco Zeffirelli, ‘Prince Rainer’ in the network’s THE GRACE KELLY STORY and the title role in Masterpiece Theatre’s DISRAELI. Additional mini-series credits include CHARLIE THE KID, AD, THE GREAT ESCAPE II, MARCO POLO, EVERGREEN and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE. In the late 80s the actor formed McShane Productions, which produced the much-adored LOVEJOY for the BBC and A&E. LOVEJOY gave McShane a vehicle to star in as well as produce and direct. He followed his lovable rogue character ‘Lovejoy’ by producing and starring in the darker and more serious lead role of Madson and the comedy drama SOUL SURVIVORS for BBC and Showtime. Lovejoy is currently enjoying a revival with British audiences on UK TV Gold channel. Born in Blackburn, England, McShane is the son of professional soccer player Harry McShane, who played for Manchester United, and Irene McShane. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, leaving the drama school a semester shy of graduation to make his film debut in The Wild and the Willing. Molly Parker - Alma Garret Talented Molly Parker has consistently received critical acclaim for her acting abilities and her bold, diverse choices in characters. Adding another memorable character to her repertoire, in February, Parker will be seen as a young suffragette in HBO Films’ IRON JAWED ANGELS opposite Hillary Swank and Angelica Houston. Parker was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award® as Best Female Lead for her starring role in Wayne Wang’s CENTER OF THE WORLD and won a Genie Award® for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Bruce Sweeney’s LAST WEDDING. She had three films premiere at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival: PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon (HIDEOUS KINKY); MARION BRIDGE by Wiebke von Carolsfeld; and MAX directed by Menno Meyjes, with John Cusack. She starred in Michael Winterbottom’s acclaimed WONDERLAND, and played the wife of Ralph Fiennes in Istvan Szabo’s Golden Globe® nominated film SUNSHINE. Parker made her feature debut as an alluring necrophiliac in Lynne Stopkewich’s stunning film KISSED. She won a Best Actress Genie Award® as well as international recognition for her performance. She appeared in RARE BIRDS with William Hurt and re-teamed Stopkewich in the dark mystery SUSPICIOUS RIVER, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Other film credits includeMEN WITH BROOMS and THE FIVE SENSES. In addition, she served as executive producer on the Canadian-released LOOKING FOR LEONARD, marking her first venture behind-the-camera. Parker began her association with HBO in their hit series SIX FEET UNDER, appearing as “Rabbi Ari.” Other television credits include TWITCH CITY, the Fox miniseries INTENSITY, directed by Yves Simoneau, and the telefilm SERVING IN SILENCE, with Glenn Close. 3 John Hawkes - Sol Star John Hawkes continues to build an impressive resume in both fi lm and television. This summer Hawkes will be seen in Lions Gate’s fi lmA SLIPPING DOWN LIFE also starring Guy Pearce. Last year, he stood out in the psychological thriller IDENTITY alongside John Cusack and Ray Liotta. He won over audiences and critics alike with his soulful portrayal of ‘Bugsy’ in THE PERFECT STORM. Hawkes also starred in and co-produced the independent fi lm BUTTLEMAN which won a special jury prize at the 2003 Deep Ellum fi lm festival in Dallas. Other feature credits include PLAYING GOD, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and HARDBALL. Hawkes’ TV credits include a leading role in TAKEN, Steven Spielberg’s miniseries for the Sci-Fi channel, a recurring role on the hit series THE PRACTICE, and guest-starring appearances on THE X-FILES and 24. Keith Carradine - Wild Bill Hickok Keith Carradine has starred in over forty feature fi lms-more than twenty cable television and network television movies — is an Academy-Award® winning singer and songwriter, with two albums and a hit single to his credit. He is a star of the fi rst magnitude on Broadway. Born in San Mateo, California, the son of the late John Carradine (veteran actor and father of acting brothers David and Robert), Keith grew up in California.