Téa Leoni stars in new drama

Sky Living has acquired the UK rights to air new US drama Madam Secretary, in a deal with CBS Studios International.

Madam Secretary stars Téa Leoni (Deep Impact) as Elizabeth McCord, the shrewd, determined, newly appointed Secretary of State who drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home.

A college professor and a brilliant former CIA analyst who left for ethical reasons, Elizabeth returns to public life at the request of the President following the suspicious death of her predecessor. McCord’s team includes her Chief of Staff Nadine Tolliver (Bebe Neuwirth), speechwriter Matt Mahoney (Geoffrey Arend), press coordinator Daisy Grant (Patina Miller) and her charming assistant Blake Moran (Erich Bergen).

When McCord debates third world problems, finesses foreign dignitaries at work and does battle with the President’s combative Chief of Staff Russell Jackson (Željko Ivanek), it’s just a warm-up for when she goes home to her supportive husband, Henry (Tim Daly), and their two bright children, where “politics” and “compromise” take on new meaning.

Antonia Hurford-Jones, Sky Living Channel Director, commented; “I knew as soon as I saw Madam Secretary at this year’s LA screenings it was perfect for Sky Living. It’s a smart, pacy quality drama which has you hooked from the start. I feel confident our customers are going to love it.”

Stephen Tague, Senior Vice President, Europe for CBS Studios International said: “Madam Secretary is television at its very best; strong characters and gripping storylines that draw in the viewer week after week.”

Madam Secretary is executive produced by Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman, Barbara Hall and Lori McCreary, and will air on Sky Living early 2015.