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NURSE JACKIE Fills Prescription for Success

Posted on: Wednesday, 10 June 2009, 15:00 CDT

LIONSGATE(R) and SHOWTIME's Critically-Acclaimed New Comedy Series Starring Emmy(R)-winner Edie Falco Renewed For a Second Season on SHOWTIME

SANTA MONICA, Calif., and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LIONSGATE(R) (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, announced today that its new half-hour comedy series, NURSE JACKIE, has already been renewed by Showtime Networks for a second season just one day after its critically acclaimed premiere. Starring three-time Emmy(R) Award winner Edie Falco, NURSE JACKIE, a co-production with Showtime, achieved one of the most successful original series debuts in the network's history. Production of 12 new episodes will begin this summer in New York City.

NURSE JACKIE's premiere on Monday, June 8 scored record ratings for Showtime. Leading into the series debut was the fifth season premiere of Lionsgate's hit comedy WEEDS, which when coupled with NURSE JACKIE, led to the network's best premiere night ever in the Nielsen ratings.

"We're delighted about Showtime's early pickup of NURSE JACKIE and the terrific response the premiere has received," said Kevin Beggs, President of Lionsgate Television Programming and Production, and Sandra Stern, Executive Vice President and COO of Lionsgate Television. "It's a testament to the brilliant work of Edie Falco and the extraordinary supporting cast and creative team. Showtime has been a great partner on both NURSE JACKIE and WEEDS and we look forward to extending and expanding our relationship in the years to come."

The series is a co-production of Showtime Networks Inc. and Lionsgate Television and was created by Evan Dunsky and Liz Brixius & Linda Wallem (The Comeback, That '70's Show). Wallem and Brixius are executive producers and show runners. John Melfi and Caryn Mandabach are executive producers. Richie Jackson, Christine Zander, Mark Hudis and Evan Dunsky are co-executive producers.

At turns wicked, heartbreaking and funny, NURSE JACKIE stars Edie Falco as the title character, Jackie Peyton, a strong-willed and brilliant - but very flawed - emergency nurse in a complicated New York City hospital. A lapsed Catholic with an occasional weakness for Vicodin and Adderall to get her through the days, Jackie keeps the hospital balanced with her own kind of justice. Every day is a high wire act of juggling patients, doctors, fellow nurses and her own indiscretions. The first season also stars Eve Best, Peter Facinelli, Merritt Wever, Haaz Sleiman, Paul Schulze, Anna Deavere Smith, Dominic Fumusa, Ruby Jerins, Daisy Tahan and Stephen Wallem.

The show is co-produced by Lionsgate and Showtime in association with Caryn Mandabach Productions, Madison Grain Elevator Inc. & Delong Lumber.

Lionsgate has nearly 20 television series airing or scheduled to air on 11 different networks from its in-house production operations, through distribution by Debmar-Mercury or as part of its ISH Entertainment joint venture. Its programming roster is headed by such critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking shows as "Mad Men," "Weeds," "Nurse Jackie," "Crash," "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," "Meet The Browns," "The Wendy Williams Show" and "Paris Hilton's My New BFF."

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury, reality programming through its joint venture with ISH Entertainment and an array of channel platform assets. Its feature film business achieved a record box office performance in the recent January-March 2009 quarter, driven by the success of "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail," "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" and "The Haunting In Connecticut." The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 8% market share and leads the industry in its box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

Media Contact: Leah Krantzler The Lippin Group (323) 965-1990 lkrantzler@lippingroup.com For corporate inquiries, please contact: Peter D. Wilkes LIONSGATE 310-255-3726 pwilkes@lionsgate.com

SOURCE Lionsgate

Source: PR Newswire

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