Sky One has bought the new US drama Rescue Me, which stars comedian Denis Leary as a New York fireman coming to terms with the loss of his cousin and best friend, also a firefighter, during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Rescue Me, which has been described as "raw and edgy" by American critics, is a black comedy that portrays the staff of a Manhattan fire station warts and all - featuring their course language, gallows humour and homophobia, as well as their dedication to the job.
Leary's character Tommy Gavin deals with his post 9/11 trauma by hitting the bottle, spying on his soon-to-be ex-wife and talking to his dead best friend, in a stylistic touch borrowed from Six Feet Under.
Rescue Me features a large ensemble cast who play Gavin's workmates at Manhattan's Truck 62 fire station and the show was shot on location in New York.
Leary co-created and co-wrote the show with Peter Tolan, with whom he previously worked on short-lived black comedy The Job, in which he played a New York detective.
The acquisition of Rescue Me, which is broadcast in America on cable channel F/X, home of The Shield and Nip/Tuck, continues Sky One's recent strategy of trying to raise its game with its US imports.
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