MUMBAI: HBO Asia has done a deal with Content Television and has picked up the rights for crime thriller ?Thorne?.

Based on the bestselling novels by Mark Billingham and starring David Morrissey (State of Play), Natascha McElhone (Californication) and Sandra Oh (Grey?s Anatomy), ?Thorne: Sleepyhead? and ?Thorne: Scaredy Cat? have been acquired for broadcast throughout Asia next year.

This latest deal takes the total number of territories licensing the drama to more than 145.

HBO Asia senior VP, marketing, creative and content Magdalene Ew said, "We are pleased to acquire Thorne from Content Television. Available first and exclusively in Asia on HBO Asia?s network of channels, this crime thriller drama franchise will add to our diverse content offerings."

Content Television VP sales, Latin America and Asia Diana Zakis added, "We are pleased to have Thorne debut with HBO in Asia while continuing to attract deals in numerous territories. The demand for high quality crime drama remains strong in the international marketplace and Thorne has all the hallmarks of a globally successful title, with its internationally renowned cast, easily translatable storylines and proven ratings success."

Thorne stars Morrissey as Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, a character, scarred both inside and out by the cases of his past, whose headstrong investigations have won him few friends within the force. The drama also stars Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes) and Aidan Gillen (The Wire).