Channel 5 Acquires UK Rights To CBS Drama Series Under The Dome

Channel 5 has acquired UK broadcast rights to CBS drama Under the Dome, the television adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. The deal brings the series to Channel 5’s schedule and expands the channel’s catalogue of imported US drama.

Under the Dome follows the residents of Chester’s Mill after an enormous, invisible barrier isolates the town from the outside world. The premise combines elements of science fiction, mystery and social drama as enclosed residents face mounting resource pressures and unravel hidden tensions. The show’s central conceit creates a closed setting that drives both speculative plot developments and interpersonal conflict.

The series features an ensemble cast led by Mike Vogel and Rachelle Lefevre, who play key figures among Chester’s Mill’s inhabitants. Supporting performances contribute to character-driven storylines that track survival, power struggles and moral compromises. Channel 5’s acquisition will allow UK viewers to follow the unfolding arcs from the ensemble cast.

The move is consistent with Channel 5’s recent programming strategy to broaden its schedule with high-profile American drama, building on initiatives such as its 5USA scheduling approach. Securing Under the Dome fits into a broader plan to attract audiences seeking genre and narrative-driven series. The acquisition further diversifies the channel’s primetime offerings.

Channel 5 has previously secured other US imports, including titles that target prime-time viewers and bolster the channel’s drama line-up, such as its run of Person of Interest. The broadcaster has used these acquisitions to strengthen audience reach and refresh its schedule with internationally recognised series. Under the Dome will be positioned to appeal to viewers drawn to suspenseful, serialized storytelling.

Production values on the CBS series, including visual effects used to depict the dome, have been highlighted by international reviewers. The show pairs those technical elements with serial plotting intended to maintain mystery across episodes, a mix that underpinned its global viewership. Channel 5 said it will schedule the series to reach the widest possible audience.

For fans of Stephen King, the television series offers a screen interpretation of the novel’s central themes while introducing additional plot material developed for a multi-season format. The adaptation balances the source material’s core ideas with the needs of serialized television storytelling to sustain long-form drama.

Broadcast dates and precise scheduling for Under the Dome on Channel 5 will be confirmed in due course. The acquisition underlines the channel’s continued investment in imported drama as part of its content strategy and primetime planning.