New MGM Sci-Fi Series JEREMIAH Coming to SHOWTIME in 2002; Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner to Star.

Entertainment Editors & Television/Cable Writers

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 27, 2001

Showtime Networks has greenlit its latest series from MGM, a new Sci-Fi series, JEREMIAH, starring Luke Perry ("Beverly Hills, 90210") and Malcolm-Jamal Warner ("Malcolm & Eddie"), it was announced by Hank Cohen, President of MGM Television Entertainment. Created for television by sci-fi icon J. Michael Straczynski (Creator & Executive Producer of "Babylon 5"), JEREMIAH is based on Platinum Studios' award-winning graphic novel series by Belgian author Hermann Huppen.

In his long anticipated return to series television, Perry will play the lead role of Jeremiah. Warner, formerly of the critically acclaimed "Cosby Show" also makes his return to series television.

Stated Cohen, "We're thrilled to bring together such a powerful talent roster that expands our strength as a leading provider of quality Sci-Fi programming."

Based on a European comic book, whose characters have achieved cult status in the U.S and Europe, the 20-episode series is slated to debut in early 2002. JEREMIAH is being produced by Jeremiah Productions Inc. in association with Lion's Gate Television and Platinum Studios and will be distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution. This new series marks a continuing partnership between MGM and SHOWTIME on such highly successful sci-fi series as "Stargate SG-1" and "The Outer Limits," as well as the much anticipated "Leap Years" which debuts on July 29th on SHOWTIME.

Straczynski will serve as showrunner and executive producer, alongside Sam Egan, who has produced and written for "The Outer Limits" and "Northern Exposure." Russell Mulcahy (SHOWTIME's "Queer As Folk") will direct the two-hour premiere. The executive producers also include Luke Perry, Joe Dante ("Small Soldiers," "Innerspace," "The Howling," "The Burbs," "Twilight Zone: The Movie"), Michael Finnell ("Teaching Mrs. Tingle," "Small Soldiers," "Twilight Zone: The Movie," "The Howling"), Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, who developed the hit film "Men In Black," Ervin Rustemagic and Gregory Noveck, who are both co-producing several upcoming live-action features for Platinum Studios with Rosenberg. The creative executives for Showtime are John Vasey and Randy Runkle. For MGM the creative executive is Craig Roessler.

JEREMIAH is set in a future post-apocalyptic world where, almost a decade before, a deadly virus wiped out the world's adult population sparing only those who haven't reached puberty. Now in their 20s, the oldest survivors of the pandemic include Jeremiah and the colorful but cynical Kurdy. Jeremiah is on a personal quest to relocate a mysterious place called Valhalla, which his father claimed might hold some hope for the survivors. As Jeremiah falls into a reluctant partnership with Kurdy, both explore new areas and encounter other groups of young adults who are divided into rival social groups. In the course of the season opener, Jeremiah's smaller personal quest is redirected when he discovers a group of highly organized survivors who want to enlist him to orchestrate peace among the warring factions and to try and prevent the killer virus from returning.

MGM Television Entertainment handles television development and production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM). Its series lineup includes the forthcoming "Leap Years," slated to debut in July, "Stargate SG-1," "The Outer Limits," and "Poltergeist: The Legacy," as well as original made-for-television movies such as the upcoming "Oooph!," starring Paul Reiser, Joe Mantegna, and Christine Lahti and "In The Time Of The Butterflies," with Salma Hayek and Edward James Olmos.

Platinum Studios, home to a growing library of over 1,000 international and domestic comic book characters, is an entertainment and production company focusing on comic book-to-film adaptations. The company was recently formed by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg following a successful high-profile career in the comic book industry as head and founder of Malibu Comics, which was bought by Marvel Comics. During his Malibu Comics tenure, Rosenberg discovered and published the property "Men In Black," which he then developed for feature film and television. The feature grossed nearly $600 million worldwide for Columbia, with "MIB2" now in production. Platinum has a slate of live action feature film projects, which Rosenberg will produce along with video game tie-ins and soundtracks, at many studios including DreamWorks, Miramax/Dimension and New Line. The company is represented by the William Morris Agency and Ovitz's Artists Management Group.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME TOO, SHOWTIME SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME, SHOWTIME BEYOND, SHOWTIME NEXT, SHOWTIME WOMEN, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE and TMC xtra. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SET (Showtime Event Television) Pay Per View. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network. SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with U.K.-based Zone Vision.