New U.S. comedy series Happy Endings to premiere in the UK on E4

15 June 2011

E4 has secured the UK broadcast rights to the new U.S. comedy series Happy Endings starring Elisha Cuthbert (24) and Zachary Knighton (FlashForward) in a deal with The Walt Disney Company. The announcement was made today by Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, Gill Hay, and Catherine Powell, SVP/GM, Media Distribution EMEA, The Walt Disney Company.

Happy Endings is produced by ABC Studios and is from Executive Producers Jamie Tarses (My Boys), Jonathan Groff (How I Met Your Mother), Anthony & Joe Russo (You, Me and Dupree) and co-Executive Producer, David Caspe.  It asks the question: forget who gets to keep the ring - when a couple splits, who gets to keep the friends?

A great cast heads this fresh and snappy contemporary comedy that follows the ever- changing relationships in a close group of friends.  When Alex and Dave's wedding is abruptly called off, it's a massive ‘game changer' that forces the gang to look at their own dating, work and personal lives - with the help of Chicago's nightlife, a parade of quirky dates and each other of course.

Gill Hay says: "This show is a lot of fun and will slip perfectly into E4's line up of smart and fast-paced ensemble comedies. We very much look forward to launching the show and it becoming at home on E4"  

Catherine Powell adds: "Happy Endings' modern take on the universal themes of love and friendship, led by its sparky cast, has been well-received by buyers, and we're looking forward to working with Channel 4 to launch it to UK audiences."

Happy Endings' ensemble cast also features Damon Wayans Jr. as Brad, Eliza Coupe as Jane, Adam Pally as Max and Casey Wilson as Penny.

The series will make its UK debut on E4 in September 2011.  In the U.S., the series premiered on ABC in April; a second season, already ordered, will also screen here this autumn.

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About The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland

The Walt Disney Company (TWDC), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: studio entertainment, media networks, consumer products, interactive media group, and parks and resorts.

TWDC has had a strong presence in the UK for more than 75 years and currently employs over 3,500 people. TWDC UK is a major film distributor with recent successes including Toy Story 3 and Alice in Wonderland. Both films set records across the region contributing to a global box office for each film in excess of $1 billion. Disney also works with local broadcast partners to bring compelling and creative branded and non-branded content to viewers via a variety of platforms, including the hit series Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. Disney Channel launched in the UK in 1995 and is the number one channel with girls (6-14) amongst children's pay-TV channels. The Disney Channel multiplex in the UK also includes Disney XD, Playhouse Disney and Disney Cinemagic. ESPN has made significant inroads into the UK market after establishing the ESPN channel in the UK, offering a wide range of sports, including the Barclays Premier League, Scottish Premier League, and the newly added Aviva Premiership Rugby matches. In 2008, TWDC announced its partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity focused on raising £10 million towards the hospital's redevelopment appeal. The Disney Appeal works across all of the Disney businesses to raise funds and provide unique and memorable experiences for patients and their families.