UKTV has closed a deal with CBS Studios International to acquire the exclusive first run UK broadcast rights to CBS’ soapy legal drama Reckless, TVWise has learned.
Reckless is described as a sultry legal show set in Charleston, South Carolina, where Jamie Sawyer, a gorgeous Yankee litigator, and Roy Rayder, a Southern City Attorney, struggle to hide their intense attraction while clashing over a police sex scandal that threatens to tear the city apart.
The 13 episode drama series, which is eyed for a 2015 premiere on Alibi, was created by Dana Stevens and stars Cam Gidandet, Anna Wood, Shawn Hatosy, Gregory Harrison, Adam Rodriguez, Kim Wayans and Georgina Haig. Reckless is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Sander/Moses Productions. The executive producers are Dana Stevens, Kim Moses, Ian Sander and Corey Miller.
The deal between UKTV and CBS Studios International was brokered by UKTV’s Director of Programme Acquisitions Catherine Mackin, who described the legal drama as “exactly the type of series we’ve been looking to add to the Alibi slate”.
UKTV’s acquisition of Reckless is the latest extension of the existing relationship between the two companies, who previously hammered out deals for such shows as Beauty & The Beast, King & Maxwell and Emily Owens M.D. “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship and remain committed to providing UKTV with high-quality broadcast series to all parts of their schedules”, said Stephen Tague, Senior Vice President, Europe, CBS Studios International.
Reckless was one of the last shows from the 2013-2014 season to premiere in the US and as such this is widely expected to be the final UK deal for a scripted series from said season (though there have been rumblings of a late deal for Robin WIlliams’ The Crazy Ones). UKTV, thanks to their newfound importance to the Hollywood studios, were particular aggressive when it came to acquiring US shows from the 2013-2014 season, having secured deals for such shows as Resurrection, Almost Human, Believe and Crisis.
“Reckless will sit perfectly next to Alibi’s other big US premiere series”, said Alibi’s General Manager Adrian Wills.”With two charismatic lead characters it has the right amount of ‘will they, won’t they?’ and a healthy dose of procedural crime drama and a brilliant cast, which Alibi fans will know and love.”
