BBC AMERICA CO-PRODUCES POWERFUL WAR DRAMA, OCCUPATION AND ACQUIRES APPRENTICE UK

� Occupation (2 x 120), a Kudos Film & Television, BBC AMERICA and BBC co-production distributed by BBC Worldwide.

� Apprentice UK (12 x 60), a TalkBack production distributed by Mark Burnett Productions.

OCCUPATION - U.S. PREMIERE

Inspired by factual research, the BBC AMERICA co-production, Occupation is a gripping new drama by Golden Globe nominated screenwriter Peter Bowker (Viva Blackpool).

Set in March 2003, against the backdrop of growing sectarian conflict in Iraq and a boom time for private military companies, Occupation traces the personal journeys of three friends from the same regiment played by James Nesbitt (Jekyll, Murphy's Law), Stephen Graham (This Is England), and Warren Brown (Hollyoaks). Inspired to return to Basra for different reasons � one for financial gain, one for love, and the third because of his belief in the mission to rebuild the country � this compelling drama shows how different dreams come to define not just their lives but the war and the occupation itself.

Bowker says, �It isn't a message piece in the sense that it can be boiled down to a simple take on the invasion of Iraq and its consequences. It�s a story about three men who are united in battle, but are torn apart by the aftermath.�

Occupation, which also stars Igal Naor (House Of Saddam) and Lubna Azabal (Paradise Now), will premiere on BBC AMERICA in Fall 2009.

APPRENTICE UK

Apprentice UK, based on the hit original U.S. series with Donald Trump that gives a unique insight into the competitive world of business, is coming to BBC AMERICA with one of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs, billionaire Sir Alan Sugar, at its helm.

Sir Alan guides 14 candidates as they vie for his approval, and the knowledge that they can make it in the world of business. They carry out weekly assignments to test their business acumen and entrepreneurial skills. Each week, Sir Alan fires one of them, leaving the rest to go on to another equally challenging task. The one candidate who proves their worth and capability will secure a year-long job with one of his companies and a six figure salary. Apprentice UK will premiere on BBC AMERICA in Spring 2009.