Season Two Production of BBC America's COOPER Now Underway

Cineflix Studios, in association with BBC America and Shaw Media, announced today that production has started for Season two of the 1860s New York City drama, COPPER.

Created by three-time Emmy Award-winner Tom Fontana, Academy Award-nominee Will Rokos, and executive produced by Barry Levinson, BBC AMERICA's highest-rated original drama series was re-commissioned ahead of the season one finale with an increased order of 13 one-hour episodes. Accomplished writer/novelist, Thomas Kelly (Blue Bloods), also joins COPPER as executive producer alongside Fontana and Levinson. COPPER is filming in Toronto, Ontario through July 2013.

Veteran actor Donal Logue (Sons of Anarchy, Max Payne) joins the COPPER cast this season as Brendan Donovan, a General who has recently returned from the battlefields of the Civil War to his station in Five Points. The political boss of the Sixth Ward is reasserting himself as one of the most influential and powerful men in the city's political machine.

Set on the hard streets of New York City in 1865, TOM WESTON-JONES returns as Detective Kevin Corcoran, an Irish-American cop who seeks justice for the powerless in the notorious immigrant neighborhood of Five Points.

Following the upheaval during the finale of last season, Corcoran struggles to keep the untamed, post-war city in line while dealing with the horrible truth about what happened to his wife and child - and his best friend's betrayal. As he attempts to rebuild his life, those around him strive to find their place in the American saga - be it for good or evil.

"Season two is driven by flawed and haunted characters living in explosive times," says Tom Fontana. "Each of them is looking for renewal in the wake of last season's revelations and violent upheaval. The on-going storylines follow Detective Corcoran and company on their paths to redemption or ruin."

Joining Weston-Jones (World Without End, MI-5) are multiple returning cast members. Kyle Schmid (Arrow, Being Human) plays Robert Morehouse, the unruly son of a Manhattan aristocrat who is reeling from the consequence of his father's deceit and disgrace. Anastasia Griffith (Once Upon a Time, Damages) is the sophisticated Elizabeth Haverford, now threatened by exposure and ruin as a result of her double life. Franka Potente (American Horror Story, The Bourne Supremacy) portrays Eva Heissen, the shrewd businesswoman who presides over Eva's Paradise, a brothel at the center of Five Points. Ato Essandoh (Django Unchained, Elementary) is back as Doctor Matthew Freeman, now considering an expansion of his practice that means a return to Five Points.

Also returning are Kevin Ryan (Tripping Tommy, RAW) as Francis Maguire; Dylan Taylor (Covert Affairs, Charlie Bartlett) as Detective Andrew O'Brien; ACTRA Award-nominee Kiara Glasco (Haven, I'll Follow You Down)as Annie Reilly, and Tessa Thompson (For Colored Girls, Heroes) as Sara Freeman.

COPPER, Cineflix Studios' inaugural project, was ordered straight to series and went on to become BBC AMERICA's highest-rated series premiere and highest-rated drama series ever.

"Season two tells the stories of people struggling to thrive, endure or just survive the vast chaos of Five Points in 1865, each with their own code of moral compass," said Will Rokos. "It doesn't take a war to make Five Points hell for most and a vice-laden fantasyland for those who can afford it. It's a neighborhood filled with some seeking profit, some looking for revenge, and some trying to make amends for past sins."

"We're so proud to have such an incredible roster of talent returning for season two and delighted to welcome Tom Kelly to the team," said Christina Wayne, President of Cineflix Studios. "Having worked with Tom in the past, I know what a powerful writer he is and the vitality he will bring to the set."

Perry Simon, General Manager, Channels, BBC Worldwide America, said: "COPPER gave BBC America an incredible start for our new original dramas slate, and was an instant hit with critics and audiences. We couldn't be more pleased to welcome the COPPER team back as they take the series into 1865, a year of great importance in America's history."

Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President, Content, Shaw Media, said: "We are pleased to once again join BBC America as a broadcast partner and collaborate with this award-winning team of creative minds to continue Corcoran's journey to justice."

COPPER is a Cineflix (Copper 2) Inc. production in association with BBC America and Shaw Media. Season two executive producers include: Levinson, Fontana, Rokos, Kelly, Cineflix Studios President, Christina Wayne, Sherri Rufh, Sam Berliner, and Katherine Buck. Larysa Kondracki is Co-Executive Producer/Director.

Germany's Beta Film has distribution rights for territories including Germany, France, Southern and Eastern Europe and parts of Asia with Cineflix Rights distributing the series in all other territories outside of North America.

About BBC AMERICA

BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC America has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy, five Golden Globes and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable's most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.7 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist.

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