C4 Takes On Raft of New Fox Series

LONDON: Channel 4 has secured the U.K. premiere rights to five new series from Twentieth Century Fox, among them the political thriller Homeland and the comedy New Girl, which will air on E4.

Homeland, which stars Claire Danes, Damien Lewis, Mandy Patinkin and David Harewood, is headed to C4. The show, which centers on an American solider taken prisoner during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, will air in the U.S. on Showtime.

Also included in the deal are the comedies New Girl, starring Zooey Deschanel, and Apartment 23, starring Dreama Walker. Both shows are headed to E4.

Rounding out the package are the two new original animated series Allen Gregory and Napoleon Dynamite, also set for E4. Allen Gregory is voiced, written and executive produced by Jonah Hill. Napoleon Dynamite is based on the cult film of the same name, with many of the original cast reprising their roles as vocal talent.

Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s chief creative officer, said, "We’re delighted to continue our strong relationship with Fox. Homeland is a compelling contemporary thriller which will compliment The Killing, and both New Girl and Apartment 23 will add to E4’s reputation as the home of the best of U.S. comedy."