Showtime Announces Two New Original Shows

On January 16, during the Television Critics Association press tour, Showtime has announced two upcoming original series.

The comedy Happyish – formerly known as Trending Down – is about the darker side of the pursuit of happiness and the unhappiness that comes along with chasing that goal. This will star Philip Seymour Hoffman as Thom Payne. His wife, Lee Payne, will be played by Kathryn Hahn. Payne’s boss and mentor Jonathan will be played by Rhys Ifans.

The drama The Affair explores the emotional and psychological effects of extramarital affairs. This marks the return of Joshua Jackson to television after the FOX show Fringe ended its five year run. Jackson plays Cole, a cowboy whose ranch is financially struggling. His wife, Alison (Ruth Wilson) starts an affair with Noah while he is still married to his wife of 17 years, Helen (Maura Tierney). The show is said to show the differences in both the male and female perspectives, and the biases that come along with that, to direct the story.

Both series have each been picked up for ten episodes but a premiere date has not been announced for either show.