Masterpiece, previously known as Masterpiece Theatre, is a long-running dramaanthology that airs on PBS. It is especially well-known for playing adaptations of books as well as programs that originated in the UK.
The show's thirty-ninth season premeired on January 4 and it continues the format which began the previous year. Through May, the show is known as Masterpiece Classic, which shows only period dramas. This season it is presenting adaptations of Tess of the d'Ubervilles, Wuthering Heights and multiple stories by Charles Dickens. Come June, it becomes Masterpiece Mystery!, which is an absorbed version of Mystery!, which was a sister show to Masterpiece. It airs British mysteries in this form through September. Finally, from October through the end of the year, it becomes Masterpiece Contemporary, where it shows dramas set in modern times.
As 2009 begins both the broadcast and cable networks role out new schedules and programs. This year is a little different than most due to the previous year's writers strike. Many series are returning from hiatuses of over a year and the broadcast networks are rolling out more new scripted series than usual this time of year. Notable series returning after breaks of eleven months or more include: 24, Nip/Tuck, Damages, Big Love, Flight of the Conchords and Battlestar Galactica. The new broadcast premieres include: Cupid, Castle, Kings, Scrubs (network change), Lie to Me and Dollhouse. See the schedule below for the dates these and other series return or premiere.
Premiere Schedule
For timeslot information see the winter and cable grids.
New series are in bold.
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