Sela Ward Joins Nick Nolte to Star in EPIX Original Series "Graves"

Production Has Commenced in New Mexico

Series Created by Joshua Michael Stern and Produced by Lionsgate to Debut Fall 2016

NEW YORK -- Premium TV network EPIX(R) announced today that the Golden Globe(R) and two-time Emmy(R) award-winning actress Sela Ward has been cast to star with Nick Nolte in Graves, a single-camera half-hour political satire produced by Lionsgate. Ward will play Margaret Graves, the wife of former U.S. President Richard Graves (Nolte), who decides to follow her own political ambitions just as her husband embarks on a Don Quixote-like journey to right the wrongs of his administration. Ms. Ward replaces Susan Sarandon who departed the series due to artistic differences. Production has commenced in New Mexico.

"I am delighted that she has joined Graves and I'm confident that the show's sense of style, storytelling and wit will resonate with premium viewers across all platforms."

"Sela Ward is a gifted talent who has the presence and attitude to bring the character of Margaret and her story to life," said Mark S. Greenberg, President and CEO, EPIX. "I am delighted that she has joined Graves and I'm confident that the show's sense of style, storytelling and wit will resonate with premium viewers across all platforms."

"We are thrilled to have award-winning actress Sela Ward join the cast of Graves," said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. "Known for playing characters with strength, humor and grace, Sela will be a formidable political player and wife to Nick Nolte's former President in one of EPIX's first original series."

Ward, a respected and well-recognized film and TV actor, recently completed filming Independence Day: Resurgence directed by Roland Emmerich. Her film credits include Gone Girl, The Stepfather, The Guardian, The Day After Tomorrow and The Fugitive. Ward won her first Emmy(R) for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994 for her portrayal of 'Teddy Reed' in the acclaimed television series "Sisters." She won her second Emmy(R) in 2001 in the same category for playing 'Lily Manning' in "Once and Again" which also earned her a Golden Globe(R) Award for that role. Recent television credits include "CSI: New York" and "House M.D."

Graves cast includes: Nick Nolte as Richard Graves; Sela Ward as Margaret Graves; Skylar Astin as Isaiah Miller; Heléne Yorke as Olivia Graves; Chris Lowell as Jeremy Graves; Callie Hernandez as Samantha; Ernie Hudson as Jacob Mann; Roger Bart as Lawrence and Angélica Maria as Ramona Alvarez.

Created and written by Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote, Jobs), Graves is executive produced by Stern and Oscar(R)-winning producer Greg Shapiro (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) and produced by Bill Hill ("Veep," "Eastbound & Down"). Production for the 10-episode series will take place in New Mexico. Graves will premiere on EPIX in Fall 2016. The half-hour political satire is produced by Lionsgate.

Ward is represented by The Gersh Agency.

About EPIX

EPIX is a premium movie and original programming entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on digital devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of "TV Everywhere." It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and to launch on Xbox, PlayStation(R), Android phones and tablets, and Roku(R) players. EPIX is also available across Chromecast, Apple(R) iPhones(R) and iPads(R), Android TV and more and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has more than 30 television shows on over 20 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the acclaimed drama Manhattan and the breakout series The Royals.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate's The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions' Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com