Telemystery: DCI Banks Syndicated to US Public Television

Last month we mentioned that crime novelist Peter Robinson had announced that the ITV series based on his character, DCI Banks, would be appearing on PBS stations here in the US. At the time, no mention was made on the PBS website about the series, but the series has been airing on an ad hoc basis on a number of stations throughout the US.

Now we're learning that BBC Worldwide America has officially announced a syndication deal with 166 public television stations for the series.

Julius Cain, Vice President, PBS Sales, BBC Worldwide America, said: "DCI Banks is a terrific and suspenseful show which we believe will attract a wide range of viewers in the U.S. This syndication deal marks the largest we have inked to date between BBC Worldwide America and public television stations and is evidence of the great interest in the top-notch and skillfully produced programs we offer our clients."

Stephen Tompkinson stars as Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks on his passionate and relentless journey in pursuit of criminals and justice, which inevitably leads him to take dark and treacherous paths to solve crimes. The deal includes the pilot and first two seasons of the series, episodes of which have been adapted from Robinson's novels. A third series has been commissioned by ITV, but has not yet begun production.