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SHOWTIME(R) STACKS ITS SUMMER SUNDAYS WITH "RAY DONOVAN" AND "MASTERS OF SEX"
Network Pairs Its Highest-Rated Freshman Series For Second Season Premieres
On Sunday, July 13th Beginning at 9 PM ET/PT
LOS ANGELES, CA (March 19, 2014) - It's going to be a hot summer of drama on SHOWTIME, when the network premieres RAY DONOVAN at 9 p.m. ET/PT and MASTERS OF SEX at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, July 13. Both series return with 12 one-hour episodes. RAY DONOVAN, which stands as the network's highest-rated freshman series ever, stars Liev Schreiber in his Golden Globe(R)-nominated role as the title character, alongside Golden Globe winner Jon Voight as his father. The critically-hailed drama MASTERS OF SEX, named as one of AFI's Top Ten Television Programs of the Year, stars Golden Globe nominee Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan as real-life pioneers of the science of human sexuality, William Masters and Virginia Johnson.
RAY DONOVAN is the first freshman series on SHOWTIME to average over five million viewers per week, with 5.7 million weekly viewers in its first season. Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, the series stars Liev Schreiber as LA's best professional fixer, the man called in to make the city's celebrities, superstar athletes, and business moguls' most complicated and combustible situations go away. Season one came to a close with an epic showdown resulting in Boston mobster and fugitive, Sully's (James Woods) demise. Season two of this powerful drama, will explore the fallout of his murder for Ray, his father Mickey (Voight) and the FBI, headed by LA Bureau Chief Cochran (guest star Hank Azaria). As the season unfolds, Ray continues to seek balance between the demands of his family, including his volatile relationship with Mickey, and the demands of his Hollywood clients. The cast also includes Paula Malcomson, Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok, Steven Bauer, Katherine Moennig, Pooch Hall, Kerris Dorsey and Devon Bagby. Oscar-nominated actor Elliott Gould will return as a special guest star for season two. In addition to Gould and Azaria, this season will also feature an impressive line-up of guest stars, including Ann-Margret, Wendell Pierce, Sherilyn Fenn, Vinessa Shaw, Brian Geraghty, Heather McComb and Kip Pardue. RAY DONOVAN is created and executive produced by Ann Biderman. A SHOWTIME production, the series is also executive produced by Mark Gordon and Bryan Zuriff.
Season one of MASTERS OF SEX, which debuted in September 2013, averaged 4.8 million weekly viewers, up double digits versus HOMELAND's record breaking freshman season, and was honored with both Golden Globe and Writers Guild Award nominations. Starring Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan as real-life pioneers of human sexuality, William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the series chronicles their unusual lives, romance and pop culture trajectory. Their research touched off the sexual revolution and took them from a mid-western teaching hospital in St. Louis to the cover of Time magazine. The series is an adaptation of Thomas Maier's book Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, The Couple Who Taught America How To Love. Season two also stars Caitlin Fitzgerald, Teddy Sears and Annaleigh Ashford. Betsy Brandt and Keke Palmer will guest star. MASTERS OF SEX was created and executive produced by Michelle Ashford (The Pacific). The series is executive produced by Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman, Judith Verno and Amy Lippman. Michael Dinner, Michael Sheen, Tammy Rosen and Thomas Maier serve as producers. MASTERS OF SEX is produced by Sony Pictures Television.
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