Masterpiece Theatre Introduces Masterpiece classic, Masterpiece mystery! and Masterpiece contemporary

In January, 2008, Masterpiece unveiled a new look, new scheduling, and the first of three new hosts for 2008. Viewers were introduced to a schedule dividing the year into three "seasons," each with its own host, stunning graphics, and fresh take on the series' famous theme music. Each winter and spring, Masterpiece classic will feature signature period dramas. In summer, Masterpiece mystery! will present the best British mysteries, and in fall, Masterpiece contemporary will show dramas set in modern times.

The inaugural season of Masterpiece classic was hosted by Gillian Anderson, well known to Masterpiece fans for her Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated performance as Lady Dedlock in Bleak House. The season featured The Complete Jane Austen, the highly anticipated showcase of all six of Jane Austen's novels, as well as a new adaptation of A Room With a View, Daniel Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall in My Boy Jack, and Cranford, a three-part miniseries based on the work of Elizabeth Gaskell.

In June, 2008, the Masterpiece mystery! season launches with The Men of Mystery!, welcoming back Inspector Lewis, while bidding a fond farewell to Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley. Billie Piper stars as Sally Lockhart in two adaptations of Philip Pullman's popular novels about the feisty young female sleuth.

Stage and film star Alan Cumming, one of show business's most eclectic talents, is taking on the role of host of this season of Masterpiece mystery!, making his first appearance when the series premieres on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 9pm ET on PBS (check local listings).

A host and program lineup for Masterpiece contemporary will be announced later this summer.