ENCORE ORIGINALS DEBUTS AN INTIMATE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER, "THE CRIMSON PETAL AND THE WHITE," ON TUESDAY, MARCH 6 AT 9PM ET/PT

Based on Michel Faber's Bestselling Novel, the Four-Part Original Event

Stars Romola Garai, Chris O'Dowd and Gillian Anderson

Beverly Hills, Calif., January 13, 2012 - ENCORE is set to debut Original award-winning series "The Crimson Petal and The White," a four part miniseries adapted from Michel Faber's Bestselling novel (2002). Part one and two of the sweeping and gritty epic will air exclusively on ENCORE Tuesday, March 6th beginning at 9 PM et/pt, with its concluding parts three and four airing Wednesday, March 7th at 9 PM et/pt.

The intimate psychological thriller reveals the underbelly of Victorian era London focusing on the travails of prostitute Sugar played by Romola Garai (Atonement, Amazing Grace), with Chris O'Dowd (Gulliver's Travels, Bridesmaids) as William Rackham. The international cast includes, Gillian Anderson ("The X-Files") as brothel proprietor Mrs. Castaway, Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter 2002, 2005), and Richard E. Grant (Withnail and I).

"The Crimson Petal and the White" lifts the lid on the darker side of Victorian London to reveal a world seething with vitality, sexuality, ambition and emotion. This four-part miniseries tells the story of Sugar (Garai), an alluring, intelligent young prostitute who yearns for a better life away from the brothel she is attached to, run by the contemptible Mrs. Castaway (Gillian Anderson). Highly sought after and sexually adept, Sugar finds her only comfort in writing a secret novel in which a murderous prostitute takes revenge on her clients. Sugar's fortunes change when she meets wealthy businessman William Rackham (O'Dowd), who is saddled with pious brother Henry (Mark Gatiss) and fragile wife Agnes (Amanda Hale). Regular visits from the invasive physician Doctor Curlew (Richard E. Grant) leave Agnes unable to perform her wifely duties, and William finds Sugar a thrilling antidote to his dreary existence. As William's mistress, Sugar soon grows accustomed to her new life. Yet unbeknown to William, Sugar hatches a plan that will change their lives forever.

"The Crimson Petal and the White" is distributed internationally, excluding the U.K., by FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and was produced by Origin Pictures with Cité-Amérique for the BBC. The deal was brokered by Lisa Honig, SVP Programme Distribution - North America, for FME.

It is produced by Golden Globe, Emmy(R) and BAFTA Award winner, David M. Thompson (The Lost Prince, Revolutionary Road, An Education, Billy Elliot). Adapted by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Lucinda Coxon (The Heart of Me, The Danish Girl) and directed by BAFTA Award-winning Marc Munden (The Mark of Cain, The Devil's Whore, Vanity Fair).

About Starz Entertainment

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider operating in the United States. The company offers 17 premium channels including the flagship STARZ(R) and ENCORE(R) brands with approximately 19 million and 32.8 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs in total more than 1,000 movies and original series every month across its pay TV channels. Starz Entertainment is recognized as a pay TV leader in providing HD, On Demand, HD On Demand and online advanced services for its STARZ, ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX brands. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation.