Tudors renewed, comes to Canada in fall

• Peace Arch Television Announces Co-Production “The Tudors” Renewed for Second Season by Showtime
• Renewal to Support 2008 Fiscal Performance Following Record Setting U.S. Premiere on Showtime Networks

Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc., an innovative film and television entertainment company, has announced that Showtime Networks has renewed its contract for a second season of the critically acclaimed ten-hour series “The Tudors.” The renewal of “The Tudors,” which premiered to a record audience on Showtime, is a milestone achievement for Peace Arch as the Company continues to expand its portfolio of film, television and DVD productions for lucrative international and domestic distribution.

“The Tudors” is produced by Peace Arch Entertainment and TM Productions in association with The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Showtime Networks. Showtime holds all U.S. distribution rights and Peace Arch owns all distribution rights outside the United States. Peace Arch licensed Canadian television rights to The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, who will broadcast the series in Canada in the fall. Peace Arch Home Entertainment will distribute the series on DVD in Canada.

Peace Arch licensed the DVD, television, mobile and new media distribution rights to the first season of “The Tudors” outside North America to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Sony will premiere the first season of the series internationally this summer.

“The decision by Showtime to renew ‘The Tudors’ for a second season is great for Peace Arch and will provide strong support for our 2008 performance,” said Gary Howsam, CEO of Peace Arch Entertainment. “We’re delighted to be working on ‘The Tudors’ for another year. It’s a wonderful project.”

The first season of the “The Tudors” is a ten part series of one-hour episodes that tells the incredible tale of the young, powerful, seductive King Henry VIII, focusing on the tumultuous early years of the ambitious King’s nearly 40 year reign of England. Bold and passionate about his country and his women, Henry’s obsession with ensuring his legacy led to beheadings of friend and foe, waging war, and challenging the almighty Catholic Church of England, forever changing the soul of the British Empire.

“The Tudors” stars Golden Globe® Award-winning actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“Match Point” “Elvis” “Bend It Like Beckham”) as the sexy and ruthless King Henry VIII; Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominated Sam Neill (“Jurassic Park” “Merlin” “Little Fish”) as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey — a minister who possessed great power until he failed his King; Henry Czerny (“Mission Impossible” “Clear and Present Danger”) as The Duke of Norfolk who learned that the only thing that mattered was winning and keeping the favor of the King; Jeremy Northam (CBS’ “Martin & Lewis” “Gosford Park” “The Net”) as Sir Thomas More — a man whose principles sent him to the chopping block; Gabrielle Anwar (“Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead” “Scent of A Woman”) as Princess Margaret, Henry’s spoiled sister who was married off to become Queen of Scotland; and Natalie Dormer (“Casanova”) as the infamous Anne Boleyn, the first of Henry’s wives to be beheaded.

“The Tudors” was created and written by Michael Hirst, whose work includes the Academy Award-winning “Elizabeth.” Michael Hirst, Ben Silverman, Teri Weinberg, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Sheila Hockin and Morgan O’Sullivan are the executive producers of “The Tudors,” with Gary Howsam of Peace Arch Entertainment Group and James Flynn producing.