Cinemax looks to UK for drama

HBO’s sister US cable network Cinemax has confirmed its line-up of new and returning series for next season, which includes two US/UK coproductions.

The first, Hunted, is an eight-part spy drama starring Melissa George as an elite private intelligence operative who survives an attempt on her life she believes may have been organised by a member of her own team.

It was created by The X-Files writer Frank Spotnitz and is produced by Kudos Film & Television and Big Light Productions for HBO/Cinemax and BBC1. Spotnitz, Alison Jackson, Jane Featherstone, Stephen Garrett and Christopher Aird exec produce. It is due to air in October.

The second copro sees the return of Strike Back for a 10-episode season. Airing this month, the action drama follows a counter-terrorism unit behind enemy lines.

The first season of Strike Back was produced by Left Bank Pictures for Sky1 in the UK, before Cinemax coproduced the second season (the first was shown in the US). Andy Harries exec produces for Left Bank with Huw Kennair-Jones for Sky. The series producer is Michael Casey.

Lined up for its debut in January 2013 is Banshee, a drama about an ex-con and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of the eponymous US town. Alan Ball (True Blood), Greg Yaitanes (Lost), Peter Macdissi (Six Feet Under), Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler exec produce.