ENCORE KICKS OFF THE SUMMER WITH The CAPTIVATING TWO-PART Crime DRAMA “THORNE: SLEEPYHEAD” AND
“THORNE: SCAREDY CAT” PREMIERING ON TUESDAY, JUNE 12 AND WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 AT 9PM ET/PT

Directed by Stephen Hopkins (“House of Lies,” “24”) and Benjamin Ross (“RKO 281”), the

Two-Part Event Stars David Morrissey, Aiden Gillen, Sandra Oh, Natascha McElhone and Eddie Marsan

Also Debuting This Summer on ENCORE: The Original Interview Series “Movie Talk with Peter Bart” will Premiere Sunday, May 20^th at 10am et/pt; Series Features Charlize Theron, George Clooney, Jonah Hill, Michelle Williams, Octavia Spencer and Others

Beverly Hills, Calif., FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – This summer, ENCORE will present the U.S. television premiere of the riveting two-part crime drama event “Thorne: Sleepyhead” on Tuesday, June 12 at 9pm et/pt and “Thorne: Scaredy Cat” on Wednesday, June 13 at 9pm et/pt.  ENCORE will also debut the all new original interview series featuring some of today’s biggest film stars, “Movie Talk with Peter Bart,” on Sunday, May 20th at 10am et/pt. 

“‘Thorne’ will take viewers along a gripping, suspenseful journey with the complex and quirky Detective Tom Thorne,” said Stephan Shelanski, EVP of Programming for Starz Entertainment. “The series is an edgy and engrossing addition to the collection of favorite genres ENCORE offers viewers.”

“Thorne: Sleepyhead,”  part one of the eerie and atmospheric crime drama event, stars acclaimed actor David Morrissey (“The Walking Dead,” Centurion, State of Play) as the compelling Detective Inspector Tom Thorne who possesses a gritty sensibility and an unhinged desire to discover killers. Morrissey is joined by cast members Natascha McElhone (Romeo and Juliet (2013), “Californication”), Aidan Gillen (Dark Knight Rises, “Game of Thrones,” “The Wire”) and Eddie Marsan (Snow White and the Huntsman, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows).  In “Thorne: Sleepyhead,” Thorne investigates a series of unusual attacks on young women. The first three victims are found dead, however the fourth victim – Alison Willetts – survived an excruciating attack and is unlucky to be alive.

The two-part event continues with “Thorne: Scaredy Cat.” In this fast-paced, spine-tingling examination of power and submission, Morrissey as Thorne is joined by Sandra Oh (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Detective Sergeant Sarah McEvoy, who appears to be a tough, calm and capable cop to her male colleagues, yet is simultaneously battling a serious drug addiction that is progressing. “Thorne: Scaredy Cat,” chronicles the investigation of two female victims found at the same time – killed in the exact same way. Detective Thorne finds himself on the hunt for not one, but two serial killers who seem to be working together, yet killing separately.

Both “Thorne” installments and are adaptations of Mark Billingham’s bestselling novels “Sleepyhead” (2001) and “Scaredy Cat” (2002). “Thorne” was produced by Jolyon Symonds, written by Dudi Appleton and Jim Keeble. “Thorne: Sleepyhead” is directed by Stephen Hopkins (“House of Lies,” “24”) and “Thorne: Scaredy Cat” is directed Benjamin Ross (“Poppy Shakespeare,” “RKO 281”). Thorne is A Stagereel/ Cite-Amerique Co-Production in Association with Sky/ The Movie Network/ Movie Central/ Auburn Entertainment LLP/ Content Film/ 87 Films and Artists Studio Production.

On Sunday May, 20^th ENCORE will debut a new original series hosted by Hollywood’s leading insider Peter Bart.  “Movie Talk with Peter Bart” offers a unique, in-depth, look into the careers of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors and filmmakers, who have forever influenced the way we see and experience film. The 20-episode, weekly series, features celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Sir Ben Kingsley, George Clooney, Jonah Hill, Danny DeVito, Michelle Williams, Don Cheadle, Octavia Spencer, John Cusack, and more.  Following the May 20th series premiere at 10am, subsequent episodes will air Sunday mornings, between 9am – 11am et/pt on ENCORE (check local listings).

“With his remarkable ingenuity paired with the prominent relationships he has cultivated throughout his career, Peter Bart brings viewers a unique and intimate take on the traditional celebrity interview format,” said Shelanski. “‘Movie Talk with Peter Bart’ will feature some of the industry’s most renowned and respected heavy hitters in a candid and refreshing dialog.”

Peter Bart’s longstanding relationship with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and distinguished career as a studio executive and entertainment journalist, allow him to report on the ever changing marketplace and illuminate the industry’s key players. Previously, Bart hosted the ENCORE Original series “In the House with Peter Bart and Peter Guber.” “Movie Talk with Peter Bart” is produced by 3DD Group and Peter Bart for ENCORE and the series produced by Lyndy Saville in association with KNBC, Turner Scandinavia and Latin America, Sundance Spain, Portugal, Canada and Asia.