BBC1 nabs Universal's 'Monk'

'Murder She Wrote' picked up for daytime

By DEBRA JOHNSON

LONDON -- The BBC has snapped up Universal's latest detective drama "Monk," starring Tony Shalhoub and long-running series "Murder She Wrote," starring Angela Lansbury, according to BBC controller of program acquisitions Sophie Turner Laing.

The first season of "Monk" is scheduled to make its debut in daytime on BBC1 in March next year and will likely get a second airing on BBC2 at the weekends.

Thanks to boffo ratings on Friday nights last summer, USA Network's 13-part drama has been renewed for a second season set to premiere in summer 2003. The series also delivered healthy auds for ABC.

Andy Breckman, who also serves as exec producer along with David Hoberman, penned "Monk". Hoberman's Mandeville Films produces in association with Touchstone Television.

Touchstone Television originally produced "Monk" for ABC, but the network passed; however, as part of a deal selling the show to USA, ABC included a clause allowing the skein to have a second window on ABC.

Seasons three to seven of Universal's other successful detective series "Murder She Wrote" will be scheduled on BBC1 in daytime.

The series, which originally aired on ITV in the U.K., was one of the highest rated shows for CBS during its 12-season run and still rates well in syndication. Three movies were made after the series ended, and a fourth is currently in the works.