Hollywood series fanatics who have taken note of shows that are currently the talk of the town, particularly the HBO series Perry Mason and I Know This Much Is True, are in for a special treat. For the first time, M-Net is giving DStv Premium customers the opportunity to enjoy the first episodes of must-watch series before they launch on channel 101 on DStv.
The “sneak peek” first episode of Perry Mason, tracing the work of the famous fictional detective, has already been added to the DStv Catch Up offering and will be available until Monday 6 July, before the series starts on M-Net on Tuesday 28 July at 22:00.
Episode one of the heart-rendering HBO drama I Know This Much Is True, starring three-time Academy Award nominee Mark Ruffalo, will also be on DStv Catch Up. The special preview starts on Monday 29 June and ends when it starts on Thursday 2 July at 22:00.
“M-Net continues to bring viewers the best of the best international series," says Jan du Plessis, Director: M-Net Channels. “We trust that our viewers will enjoy these stunning, high-quality productions – and the innovative move that will earn them bragging rights of seeing it first. At their leisure, at a time that suits them”.
According to Deadline magazine, Perry Mason drew the largest multi-platform opening viewership for HBO in almost two years when it hit US screens on 21 June.
Directed by two-time Emmy winner Tim Van Patten, the eight-part series explores the origin story of the popular character from Erle Stanley Gardner's 1933 novel The Case of the Velvet Claws. The story is set in Los Angeles in 1932, just as the city booms during the Great Depression.
In the titular role, viewers will find Matthew Rhys, whose acting in The Americans earned him two Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy award.
Joining Rhys in this compelling HBO miniseries are Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black, Juliet Rylance from The Knick, and veteran actor John Lithgow.
The six-part series I Know This Much is True is also based on a novel, Wally Lamb’s bestseller. In this complex, compelling drama about mental illness, family, and secrets, Mark Ruffalo gives a breath-taking dual performance as the twins Dominick and Thomas Birdsey.
Through flashbacks and the present time, the plot focuses on the relationship between Dominick Birdsey and his mentally ill twin brother, Thomas. As he grapples with personal issues, Dominick gives all he can to set his asylum-locked brother free.
Other core actors include American comedian Rosie O'Donnell who plays Thomas's caregiver, award-winning American actress, Melissa Leo, as the twin's mother, and British actress Imogen Poots as Dominick's girlfriend.
More exciting news is that NBCUniversal's crime sensation, The Sinner, will also be available on DStv Catch Up prior to its launch on M-Net. Now in its third season, episode one of this anthology series reaches Catch Up on Monday 13 July before it starts on M-Net on Wednesday 22 July at 22:00.
Join the conversation by following M-Net on Twitter @MNet and using #MNet101 #PerryMason #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue #TheSinner or on the official M-Net Facebook page.
Check out more on the shows by clicking on the names below:
Feature image: Perry Mason.