PBS Announces Second Season of Critically Acclaimed Drama LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX to Debut on Sunday, June 9, 04

--

L-R: Anne Reid, Derek Jacobi, Nicola Walker, Sarah Lancashire

(Credit: Helen Turton/BBC)

PBS Announces Second Season of Critically Acclaimed Drama LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX to Debut on Sunday, June 29, 2014

BAFTA Award-Winning Love Story from Red Production Company Attracted More than 8.4 Million Viewers in its First Season on PBS; Further Solidifies PBS as a Destination for Quality Drama on Sunday Nights

Series Lead Derek Jacobi to Also Star in New PBS Comedy VICIOUS,

Premiering in July

PASADENA, CA; JANUARY 20, 2014 -- BBC Worldwide North America Sales & Distribution and PBS announced today that the critically acclaimed British drama LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX will return for a second season in the U.S., debuting June 29 2014, at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS. New sitcom VICIOUS, also starring TANGO lead Derek Jacobi, will join the lineup on Sunday, July 6 at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Written by Sally Wainwright ( Scott and Bailey, Unforgiven, At Home With the Braithwaites ) and directed by Euros Lyn ( Black Mirror, Sherlock ) and Jill Robertson (Law & Order: UK), LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX tells the story of love struck septuagenarians Alan (Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) who rediscover their love for each other later in life 60 years, in fact, after they first met. The heart-warming series, which was named one of the Best TV shows of 2013 by Variety, was the BBC's highest rating new mid-week drama of 2012, regularly attracting more than seven million viewers with its captivating mix of effervescent humor and moving drama. Made by Red Production Company for the BBC, LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX is produced by Karen Lewis with Nicola Shindler, Sally Wainwright and Matthew Read as the executive producers.

The six-part series returns as Alan and Celia continue to negotiate family baggage to plan a life together. Having come so close to losing each other forever thanks to Alan's near fatal heart attack, he and Celia decide to have a romantic secret wedding as soon as possible. But how will their respective daughters react? The uptight Caroline and rebellious Gillian are discovering they actually quite like each other, however Gillian's need to own up to her night with Caroline's ex-husband John could jeopardize the soon-to-be stepsisters' fledgling friendship. As secrets from the past come tumbling out and family members adjust to changing relationships, can Alan and Celia find the long-awaited happiness they deserve?

LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX captured the hearts of millions of viewers, said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. We are excited to continue the love story between Alan and Celia and work with Red Production and the BBC on an exciting second season. We're also thrilled that we'll be giving the acclaimed Derek Jacobi an additional opportunity to shine later in the evening with VICIOUS.

In addition to Jacobi (The King's Speech, The Borgias, My Week With Marilyn) and Reid ( Upstairs, Downstairs, Marchlands ), LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX features Sarah Lancashire ( Five Daughters, Wuthering Heights, Inspector George Gently ) as Caroline, Nicola Walker ( Inside Men, Spooks, Being Human ) as Gillian, Tony Gardner ( Fresh Meat, My Parents Are Aliens ) as John, Dean Andrews ( Life On Mars, Ashes To Ashes, Marchlands ) as Robbie, Nina Sosanya ( Silk, Five Days, Hustle ) as Kate, Ronni Ancona ( Skins, Big Impression ) as Judith and Josh Bolt ( Shameless, Nowhere Boy) as Raff.

About PBS

PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 109 million people through television and over 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

About BBC Worldwide Americas Sales & Distribution

BBC Worldwide Americas Sales & Distribution is one of five core businesses operating in the U.S. 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 UK license payer, 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 region.

About Red Production Company

Red Production Company is one of the UK's leading independent drama producers. Since 1998 Red has worked with the UK's leading writers including Russell T Davies, Paul Abbott and Sally Wainwright on productions such as Queer as Folk (C4), Clocking Off (BBC1), Bob & Rose (ITV), Scott & Bailey (ITV), Hit & Miss (Sky Living) and Last Tango in Halifax (BBC1). For more information visit www.redproductioncompany.com, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube or Like' us on F

LINK:	http://www.pbs.org/about/news/archive/2014/second-season-last-tango/...
	See more stories from pbs

Most recent headlines