Sky One picks up 'Hidden Palms', 'Lovespring'

Sky One has announced the first UK pickups from the LA screenings - Hidden Palms and Lovespring International.

Neither series is among the headliners from the new season's fare, although the latter does boast Will & Grace star Eric McCormack as its exec producer.

Hidden Palms - a midseason drama for new network The CW - is an unusual choice for Sky One, with an OC-style format that would usually suit the younger-skewing networks.

The cast includes two former OC stars - Taylor Handley (Oliver Trask) and Michael Cassidy (Zach Stevens) - and comes from Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson.

The show follows Johnny Miller (Handley), who has a mid-life crisis at 16 after his father commits suicide. Falling into alcoholism, he claws back through rehab only for his mother to remarry and force him to move to an exclusive community in Palm Springs. Johnny soon uncovers the hidden truths that lie behind the closed doors of his new neighbourhood - secrets from his own family, his new neighbours and even from the dead teenage boy who previously lived in Johnny’s new home.

An improv comedy for women's cable network Lifetime, Lovespring International is about a neurotic crew of “relationship consultants” who desperately try to find love for their clients although they have no idea how to do it for themselves. The cast includes Mystro Clark (Soul Train), Wendi McLendon-Covey (Reno 911) and Jennifer Elise Cox (The Comeback). McCormack and Will & Grace co-star Sean Hayes will appear together in future episodes.

"Any show that's pilot has a woman paying $10,000 to have her dog deflowered deserves a primetime slot on Sky One. Lovespring International will be a perfect partner for the outrageous, award-winning comedy Weeds," said Richard Woolfe, new programming director at Sky One. "Likewise Hidden Palms offers a glamoruous, sexy, thrill-ride that's bound to captivate audiences of all ages."

Lovespring International will debut on Sky One in the autumn, with Hidden Palms following next spring. Both series come from Lionsgate.