'Homeland' opens well for Showtime

Showtime received strong traction using its series debut of "Homeland" Sunday evening, drawing approximately millions of audiences for that drama's initial telecast. The Ten p.m. airing recorded probably the most auds for any drama premiere since 2003's "Dead Much Like Me.Inch When amassing the night time and a pair of a.m. telecasts, in addition to online sampling the cabler provided via online When Needed, "Homeland" came a combined 2.7 million. Compared to recent Showtime preems, in April the debut of "The Borgias" received slightly under "Homeland." "Shameless" came 982,000 in the The month of january debut. "Homeland," starring Claire Danes, Damien Lewis and Mandy Patinkin, focuses on a launched prisoner of war and also require switched from the U . s . States. The strong start for that skein is really a boon to Showtime leader David Nevins, as "Homeland" may be the first scripted series to become greenlit by him after coming from Imagine Entertainment. Show is professional created by Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff, Michael Cuesta, Abi Nir and Went Tellem. In coming back series, Showtime's top-rating "Dexter" obtained a proper 2.two million audiences at 9 p.m. Sunday in the sixth season debut, becoming a proper lead-directly into "Homeland." That's better of any "Dexter" season premiere, together with a 24% increase from season five. When adding the 11 p.m and 1 a.m. showings, "Dexter" came 2.7 million audiences. Both "Dexter" and "Homeland" should see substantial viewer increases with a lot more telecasts throughout a few days. Showtime has yet to resume an offer with "Dexter" star and professional producer Michael C. Hall, which strong start can provide him leverage using the internet. His current pact has expired and also the internet is presently settling with him for future seasons. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com