Watch orders del Toro series

UKTV has picked up first-run UK broadcast rights to FX’s forthcoming vampire thriller The Strain, based on novels co-written by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.

The UK multi-channel operator will premiere the 13×60’ series on its general entertainment channel Watch this autumn, following a deal with 20th Century Fox Television Distribution.

The novels on which the series is based were penned by del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) and Chuck Hogan (The Town), who will both exec produce the TV series alongside showrunner and writer Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel).

The Strain begins airing in the US on Fox-owned cable channel FX on July 13 and is produced by FX Productions.

In January, Foxtel channel Fox8 in Australia acquired the series, which centres on a doctor who is called in to investigate a mysterious outbreak of vampirism in New York.

UKTV yesterday revealed it had picked up fantasy drama Resurrection (8×60’) from distributor Disney UK and Ireland, also for Watch channel.