Bravo picks up 'The Unit', 'Blade: The Series'

Bravo has acquired two new series from the US for its upcoming autumn schedule.

The first is The Unit, starring Dennis Haysbert (24) as the leader of a team of Special Forces operatives who risk their lives on undercover missions around the world. The channel has the rights to the first, 13-episode season from Twentieth Century Fox Television.

The second pickup is Blade: The Series from Warner Bros. Airing on lads channel Spike TV in the US, the series is based on the blockbuster movie trilogy of the same name and focuses on the eponymous immortal warrior as he fights a relentless sea of vampires. Kirk 'Sticky' Jones (The Shield, Over There) plays the title role.

"We are delighted to have snapped up two more US dramas jam-packed with thrilling action and custom-made for our male target audience," said Jonathan Webb, director of programmes at Bravo, Trouble and Challenge.

The news comes as the channel prepares to send off its US spy drama Alias, which comes to an end next month after five years.