TIM MATHESON TO DIRECT USA NETWORK PILOT "COVERT AFFAIRS"

Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham Set To Co-Star

PASADENA, CA � August 5, 2009 - USA Network, which just greenlit the pilot COVERT AFFAIRS, has inked actor/director/writer Tim Matheson to direct the pilot. A Universal Cable Productions original, COVERT AFFAIRS is executive produced by Dave Bartis and Doug Liman through Dutch Oven and written and co-executive produced by Matt Corman and Chris Ord. Shooting is set to take place in Toronto beginning in September. The announcement was made today by Jackie de Crinis, USA's senior program executive.

"From guesting on BURN NOTICE to directing key episodes for PSYCH and BURN NOTICE, Tim has worked with USA and the studio for several years," said de Crinis. "Tim knows the USA brand intimately and will do an exceptional job. We are thrilled to have Tim's impeccable directing style for USA's newest pilot."

While Tim Matheson is widely known for an acting career that spans from "Animal House" to "The West Wing," for which he was nominated for two Emmy Awards for Guest Actor in a Drama Series. His talents behind the camera, as both a director and producer, threaten to equal if not eclipse his accomplishments in front of it. Tim made his directorial debut on the award winning NBC mega hit "St. Elsewhere," an outing that led to a series of USA movies, including "Breach of Contract," with Peter Coyote and Courtney Thorne-Smith and "Buried Alive II." Incidentally, Tim starred in the original "Buried Alive," which was the most watched feature ever presented on USA Network. "Blind Fury" was the first feature film Tim produced, based on the Japanese Zatoichi series "Blind Swordsman," which was directed by Philip Noyce through Tim's production company for TriStar. Following that project, Tim took over controlling interest in the National Lampoon Company with then partner Dan Grodnik. Tim went on to produce two pilots through that brand before he executive produced and starred in his own ABC series, "Just in Time." Most recently Tim developed, produced, co-starred and directed a Lifetime Premiere movie entitled "Augusta, Gone."

COVERT AFFAIRS centers on a young CIA trainee, Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), who is mysteriously summoned to headquarters for duty as a field operative. While Annie believes she's been promoted for her exceptional linguistic skills, there may be something or someone from her past that her CIA bosses are really after. Christopher Gorham plays Auggie Anderson, a CIA military intelligence agent who was blinded while on assignment and is Annie's guide in this world of bureaucracy, excitement and intrigue.

From Universal Cable Productions, COVERT AFFAIRS stars Piper Perabo ("Coyote Ugly," "Cheaper by the Dozen," "Beverly Hills Chihuahua") and Christopher Gorham ("Ugly Betty," "Jake 2.0"). It is written and co-executive produced by Matt Corman ("Deck the Halls") and Chris Ord ("Deck the Halls"). Dave Bartis ("Knight Rider") and Doug Liman ("Knight Rider," the "Bourne" trilogy, "Heist") are executive producers through their company, Dutch Oven.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 98.5 million U.S. homes. A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com . Characters Welcome.

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