The limited series based on Edward St. Aubyn’s semi-autobiographical novels, starring Benedict Cumberbatch will premiere May 12. Each episode will cover one of the five novels.
Cumberbatch is playing the titular character, Patrick Melrose, in the five-part series that is described as a “harrowing odyssey from a deeply traumatic childhood through adult substance abuse and, ultimately, toward recovery.” The series chronicles the dysfunctional character who “struggles to overcome the damage inflicted by a horribly abusive father and the mother who tacitly condoned his behavior.”
Showtime is expanding its original programming to Saturdays starting with Patrick Melrose. President and CEO David Nevins in a release, “As the size of our programming slate continues to grow, it makes sense for Showtime to offer another night of premieres… offering original content on Saturdays not only enables us to fully service our subscribers with diverse offerings, it gives viewers enough time to enjoy them all. And a series with the ambition and quality of Patrick Melrose is the perfect place to start.”
