BBC AMERICA TO CO-PRODUCE "THE MUSKETEERS"

Adrian Hodges to write the new series inspired by the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas

Television Critics Association, Los Angeles, August 1, 2012 - BBC AMERICA today announced it is co-producing BBC One's The Musketeers, a new drama inspired by the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas and written by Adrian Hodges (My Week with Marilyn, Survivors, Primeval).

The Musketeers is a fresh and contemporary take on the beloved story and characters created by Dumas. It tells the story of a band of brothers, highly trained soldiers who are assigned to protect King and country. Courageous, impulsive, ready to fight any battle, if the cause is just. The series shares Dumas' original 17th century setting and will feature a fresh story each week across its 10 x 60-minute run set for 2014.

Perry Simon, General Manager BBC AMERICA, said: "The series bristles with vivid escapism and heroic action adventure and is set to thrill audiences with cracking stories of the week. It is a perfect series for our DRAMAVILLE slot which has established itself as a showcase for outstanding and award-winning British drama."

The Musketeers (10x60) is a BBC Drama Production for BBC One, co-produced by BBC AMERICA and BBC Worldwide, executive produced by Jessica Pope (The Good Cop, State Within, Silent Witness).

BBC AMERICA delivers US audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy(R), five Golden Globes(R) and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable's most affluent and educated audiences and is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 79 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist.

About BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution

BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution is one of seven core businesses under BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the UK public service broadcaster, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). BBC Worldwide exists to maximize the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the BBC, and invests in programming in return for rights. The Sales & Distribution business negotiates, sells and distributes television programs to networks and secures co-production partners, in the Americas region.