ITV picks 'Daisies' from LA screenings

ITV has acquired the rights to one of the most talked-about shows from this year's LA screenings.

Pushing Daisies, dubbed a "forensic fairytale", stars Lee Pace as a mild-mannered pie-maker who has the ability of bringing the dead back to life. Brit actress Anna Friel (Brookside) also stars.

The broadcaster plans to premiere the series on ITV1 but has stopped short of promising it a primetime slot following last year's disaster with JJ Abrams flop Six Degrees. It will also get a repeat window on ITV2.

ITV has also picked up two series from CBS Paramount: Swingtown, a drama about swinging couples set in the '70s; and Cane, an "epic" drama about the internal power struggles of a large Cuban-American family. Both will air on ITV's digital channels - most likely ITV2 and ITV4 respectively - but could also get post-peak slots on ITV1.

"These shows are the perfect fit for ITV's family of channels," said Jay Kandola, ITV's director of acquisitions. "They epitomise a fresh and unique style of programming from some of the most innovative producers and credible stars in American broadcasting."