Acorn TV Streams Hugh Laurie's Pre-House Series

On Monday, Nov. 14th, Acorn TV, the first streaming service specializing in British television, adds the complete series of Hugh Laurie's hilarious pre-House doctor series Fortysomething, co-starring Anna Chancellor (BBC's The Hour); and, the first season of one of Acorn's first-rate, non-British series, the universally acclaimed Canadian series Slings & Arrows, called "Outrageously Entertaining" (NPR), "Absolutely addictive" (The New York Times), and "One of the finest series ever made" (San Francisco Chronicle) and starring Paul Gross (currently in Broadway's "Private Lives," Due South), Mark McKinney (The Kids in the Hall), and Rachel McAdams (The Notebook).

Acorn TV offers a full season of 10 critically acclaimed, classic and contemporary British series to watch online. Streaming now are Acorn's top-selling series Midsomer Murders, the iconic Upstairs, Downstairs, Agatha Christie's Poirot with David Suchet, Lynda La Plante's Trial & Retribution, among others. The first episode of each series is available for free. The annual fee is only $24.99. Acorn TV launched in July 2011, to serve as the first streaming service that curates the best of British television for American audiences. To meet consumer demand, it expanded to 10 series in September. Programming is refreshed weekly, with each season available for five weeks. Each week content will rotate with two new seasons added.

New series being added on Monday, Nov. 14th

Slings & Arrows - Dramatizing the backstage trials and tribulations of a Shakespearean theatre troupe, Slings & Arrows features intelligent writing, masterful acting, and a stellar ensemble cast. Paul Gross stars as Geoffrey Tennant, the passionate but unstable artistic director of the New Burbage Theatre Festival. Haunted by the ghost of his predecessor and former mentor (Stephen Ouimette), he struggles to realize his creative vision while handling touchy actors (Rachel McAdams), a jittery general manager (Mark McKinney), a pretentious guest director (Don McKellar), and his own tempestuous romance with the Festival's leading lady (Martha Burns). Slings & Arrows aired in the U.S. on the Sundance Channel and has won numerous awards (Canadian Comedy Award, Directors Guild of Canada, Writers Guild of Canada, and 13 Gemini Awards). The series is created and written by Susan Coyne, Mark McKinney, and Bob Martin.

Fortysomething - Before House, two-time Golden Globe® and SAG-winner Hugh Laurie honed his doctor-playing skills in this hit British comedy. This six-episode series costars Anna Chancellor (BBC's The Hour, Four Weddings and a Funeral). Laurie also directed the first three episodes. Laurie stars as Paul Slippery, an anxiety-ridden British doctor suffering a midlife crisis. His wife (Chancellor) has embarked on a new career and perhaps an extramarital affair or two. His three oversexed sons mock him without mercy. And at work he's tangled in red tape and tormented by a flaky colleague. Although the native accent of Fortysomething's star may sound unfamiliar to American ears, Laurie's edgy, high-energy characterization will come as no surprise.

Website: acornonline.com/TV. 

Acorn TV is accessible on computers, iPhones, iPads, Apple TV and Google TV. It is also available on any portable device with a browser that runs Flash 10 or higher, with additional devices and applications to be offered within the next year.