NBC's musical drama Smash has been bought by Sky, in advance of its February debut in the US. Already being described as "Glee for grownups", Smash takes place behind-the-scenes of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. It stars American Idol's Katharine McPhee, Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Anjelica Huston (The Addam's Family), Jack Davenport (Pirates Of The Caribbean), Christine Borle (Legally Blonde: The Musical), and has been executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. Theatre veterans Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (who adapted Chicago for the big-screen) are the showrunners.
Here's Sky's description of the series:
Smash centres on the complex and all-consuming process behind the production of an original Broadway musical. Successful songwriting duo and old friends Tom (Borle) and Julia (Messing) reunite to realise their dream of adapting the life story of screen icon Marilyn Monroe into a hit musical; recruiting tenacious producer Eileen (Huston) and brilliant director Derek (Davenport) to bring the production to the stage. Casting of the title role sparks conflict and rivalry between Karen (McPhee), a youthful, inexperienced beauty desperate to find fame in the big city, and Ivy (Hilty), a stage veteran determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break.
Disappointingly for many potential viewers, Sky have decided to make Smash exclusive to their Sky Atlantic channel, so it will unfortunately have less chance of creating a Glee-style impact in this country.
SMASH begins in early-2012, most likely shortly after the US premiere on 6 February.
