Channel 5 snaps up smash hit mini-series Hatfields & McCoys

Channel 5 has secured the exclusive UK TV rights to the hit US mini-series Hatfields & McCoys through a deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT). The star studded drama saw record breaking ratings in the US to become the most-watched broadcast on cable, (excluding sports) averaging 14 million viewers and saw History Channel achieve its highest ratings ever.

The Hatfield-McCoy saga begins with “Devil” Anse Hatfield (Academy Award winner Kevin Costner) and Randall McCoy (Bill Paxton) as close friends and comrades during the Civil War, they returned to their neighbouring homes - Hatfield in West Virginia and McCoy just across the Tug River border in Kentucky – to increasing tensions, resentments and misunderstandings that soon exploded into all-out warfare between the two families. As hostilities grew, friends, neighbours and outside forces joined the fight, bringing the two states to the brink of another civil war.

Their story also includes a tempestuous love affair between Hatfield’s son and McCoy’s daughter which had disastrous consequences, the execution of McCoy’s three young sons in retaliation for the Rasputin-like murder of Hatfield’s beloved brother; a New Year’s massacre of the McCoy clan and burning of their home, which sparked international headlines; a public clash between state governors; and ultimately the involvement of the United States Supreme Court.

Channel 5’s Head of Acquisitions, Katie Keenan said, “Hatfield and McCoys will be a great addition to our autumn line-up and further cement Channel 5 as the most watched channel for US drama in the UK. Our viewers will love this gritty and gripping star studded drama.”

SPT’s Senior Executive Vice President European Distribution, Stuart Baxter, added: “We’re delighted that Channel 5 becomes the UK home for this record breaking mini-series and look forward to UK audiences being gripped by the explosive family saga of the Hatfields and McCoys.”

Hatfields and McCoys stars Kevin Costner (Dances With Wolves) as “Devil” Anse Hatfield, Bill Paxton (Big Love) as Randall McCoy, Tom Berenger (Platoon) as Jim Vance, Powers Boothe (The Final Season) as Judge Valentine “Wall” Hatfield, Mare Winningham (Georgia) as Sally McCoy, Jena Malone (Hope) as Nancy McCoy, and Sarah Parish as Levicy Hatfield.