Alan Cumming To Host 'Masterpiece Mystery!' Starting 6/22

One of show business's most eclectic talents is taking on a new role. Stage and film star Alan Cumming will host the upcoming season of MASTERPIECE MYSTERY!, making his first appearance when the series premieres on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 9pm ET on PBS.

"I've had my eye on Alan for a long time, ever since I saw him in Cabaret," says MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. "His versatility as an actor makes him perfect for MYSTERY!, and like many of our favorite detectives, he's absolutely charming."

"I couldn't resist the offer to host MYSTERY!," says Cumming, who is currently enjoying one of the most fruitful periods in his prolific career. "I'm a huge mystery fan and appreciate the high caliber of programming that is offered to the public free of charge on PBS."

A Tony Award(R)-winner for his role as Emcee in Cabaret, Cumming recently starred Off Broadway in The Seagull, and will be on stage this summer at the Lincoln Center Festival in Euripides' The Bacchae. His extensive film appearances include X Men 2; Sweetland; the Spy Kids trilogy; Eyes Wide Shut; GoldenEye; Circle of Friends; The Anniversary Party (which he also wrote, directed, and produced), and he will be seen this fall in Boogie Woogie opposite Heather Graham. On television, he has appeared in Sex and the City on HBO, The L Word on Showtime and Midnight Snack on Sundance Channel. Born in Scotland, Cumming lives in New York City.

MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! follows the highly successful season of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC, which launched the restyled MASTERPIECE in January with "The Complete Jane Austen." Hosted by Gillian Anderson, MASTERPIECE CLASSIC achieved a 50% improvement in viewership over the '06-'07 season in the overnight markets.

This season's MYSTERY! lineup features The Men of Mystery, beginning on June 22 with three episodes of Inspector Lewis, a spin-off to the popular Inspector Morse series. On July 13, Michael Kitchen returns for the final three episodes of the acclaimed World War II series Foyle's War, and on August 10, Elizabeth George's incomparable New Scotland Yard team of Inspectors Lynley and Havers are back for the last time in two new episodes of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.

MASTERPIECE CONTEMPORARY will premiere in October 2008.

MASTERPIECE has been presented on PBS by WGBH since 1971. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer. Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

For more information about the MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! schedule, as well as behind-the-scenes video interviews and a set tour with host Alan Cumming, visit pbs.org/masterpiece/mystery/host.html

Photo Credit RD/ Leon/ Retna Digital