NURSE JACKIE RETURNS EARLY TO SHOWTIME MARCH 22 PAIRED WITH EMMY-WINNING UNITED STATES OF TARA

TWILIGHT TO PREMIERE JANUARY 23; FINAL SEASON OF THE TUDORS AND OTHER SERIES PREMIERE DATES ANNOUNCED

SHOWTIME has announced the air dates for some its highly-anticipated programming for first and second quarter 2010. Highlighting the new schedule will be a Monday comedy block pairing of the second season of SHOWTIME's acclaimed Nurse Jackie starring Emmy award-winner Edie Falco leading into the second season of United States of Tara showcasing Toni Collette in her Emmy award-winning title role. Nurse Jackie will premiere on Monday, March 22 at 10:00 PM ET/PT followed by United States of Tara at 10:30 PM ET/PT.

Additionally, the fourth and final season of SHOWTIME's award-winning period drama The Tudors starring Golden Globe award-winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers will premiere on Sunday, April 11 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

The movie event of the New Year will be the television premiere of blockbuster feature film TWILIGHT on Saturday, January 23. Original comedy series will also populate the network from January through March with Tracey Ullman's State of the Union, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and the debut of British comedy sensation Marc Wootton's new La La Land -- in which he plays three different characters in real situations with unsuspecting real Los Angelenos all premiering Monday, January 25.

Here's what Showtime looks like in the months ahead:

2010 UPCOMING PREMIERES:

DATE TIME SERIES/MOVIE SEASON

Saturday, January 23rd TBD Twilight Film

Monday, January 25th 10:00 PM ET/PT Secret Diary of a Call Girl 3rd

Monday, January 25th 10:30 PM ET/PT Tracey Ullman's State of the Union 3rd

Monday, January 25th 11:00 PM ET/PT La La Land 1st

Monday, March 22nd 10:00 PM ET/PT Nurse Jackie 2nd

Monday, March 22nd 10:30 PM ET/PT United States of Tara 2nd

Sunday, April 11th 9:00 PM ET/PT The Tudors 4th