5Star Acquires UK Rights To Syfy's 'Aftermath' – TVWise

5Star has acquired the exclusive first run UK broadcast right to Syfy’s upcoming original series Aftermath after striking a deal with NBCUniversal International Distribution, TVWise has learned.
Aftermath follows one family – Karen and Joshua Copeland and their children Dana, Brianna and Matt – who must battle for survival after civilization comes to an apocalyptic end, triggered by massive storms, meteor strikes, earthquakes and plague, as well as the rise of supernatural creatures.
The 13 episode drama series is a co-production between Syfy and Space, the Canadian broadcaster behind Killjoys, and hails from independent production company Halfire Entertainment and series creators/shworunners William Laurin and Glenn Davis. The cast includes Anne Heche (Hung), James Tupper (Revenge), Levi Meaden (The Killing), Julia Sarah Stone (The Killing), Taylor Hickson (Deadpool). Leslie Hope (24) guest stars.
After using the channel as little more than a dumping ground for repeats for several years, Channel 5 has been heavily investing in exclusive content for 5Star since the Viacom acquisition and subsequent re-brand, which, per acquisitions executive Marie-Claire Dunlop, saw the channel position itself as a home for “younger-skewing content” and “fun, sexy, glossy shows”.
Afermath, which is set to premiere next month, is the latest acquisition that fits in with that new remit. Other younger-skewing, glossy first run scripted shows that the channel has acquired in recent months include critically acclaimed FX comedy You’re The Worst, starring Chris Geere and Aya Cash; MTV’s high concept fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles, based on Terry Brooks’ novels; and fellow Syfy series The Magicians.