Newsroom Drama ‘Press’ Will Come to Masterpiece This October

The cast of "Press" (Photo: Courtesy of Lookout Point - Photographer: Dean Chalkley/Colin Hutton)

“Press" Coming to MASTERPIECE PBS in 2019 Shown from left to right: Priyanga Burford as Amina Chaudury, Charlotte Riley as Holly Evans, Ben Chaplin as Duncan Allen, Paapa Essiedu as Ed Washburn, and David Suchet as George Emmerson For editorial use only. (C) Lookout Point - Photographer: Dean Chalkley/Colin Hutton

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After nearly a year’s worth of waiting, American audiences can finally see the star-studded drama Press for themselves.

The six-episode series, which aired last September on BBC One, will come to America at last as part of PBS’ Masterpiece’s Fall lineup. It will premiere on Sunday, October 6, following the second episode of Poldark’s final season. (So between that and The Durrells in Corfu’s final season, our Sunday nights are looking pretty stacked this Fall.)

Press features an all-star ensemble led by David Suchet, of Poirot fame, alongside Charlotte Riley, Ben Chaplin, Priyanga Burford, Shane Zaza, Ellie Kendrick and more.

Though the drama will feature competing newsrooms, Press will reportedly not seek to dramatize or explore current hot-button issues of the day, such as the ongoing debate around the idea of “fake news”. Instead, the series will seek to tackle broader topics facing the news industry, particularly regarding the ethical minefields that reporters and editors must navigate each day. Who do we trust to give us information? Why? What are their sources? Who decides what’s newsworthy

The series synopsis, however, still promises plenty of high stakes and drama to go along with its lofty philosophical and ethical debates.

"Set in the fast-paced and challenging environment of the British newspaper industry, Press will immerse viewers in the personal lives and the constant professional dilemmas facing its characters. The series follows their lives as they attempt to balance work and play, ambition and integrity, amid the never-ending pressure of the 24-hour global news cycle and an industry in turmoil."

Watch the first look trailer for yourselves:

 

What do think? Are you happy to see the former Poirot headed back to television? Does Press look like something you’d watch? Let’s discuss in the comments


Lacy Baugher

Lacy's love of British TV is embarrassingly extensive, but primarily centers around evangelizing all things Doctor Who, and watching as many period dramas as possible.

Digital media type by day, she also has a fairly useless degree in British medieval literature, and dearly loves to talk about dream poetry, liminality, and the medieval religious vision. (Sadly, that opportunity presents itself very infrequently.) York apologist, Ninth Doctor enthusiast, and unabashed Ravenclaw. Say hi on Threads or Blue Sky at @LacyMB. 

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