Smash is an American musical drama television series created by Theresa Rebeck which revolves around a group of characters creating new Broadway musicals, where everyone must balance his or her often chaotic personal life with the all-consuming demands of life in the theatre as they try to become the next smash hit.
The series aired in the USA on NBC from 6 February, 2012 to 26 May, 2013. There are 32 hour-long episodes in two seasons.
Smash premiered in South Africa on DStv's M-Net Series channel on Thursday 18 October 2012, at 19h30. It moved to M-Net Series Showcase (simulcast in HD) for the second season. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on M-Net Series Showcase on Sunday 14 July 2013, at 19h30. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 17 episodes in the second and final season.
Synopsis
Smash is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theatre as it follows a cross section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire - to be a Smash.
The series centres on a desire to create a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe - written by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing).
Julia recently began the process of adopting a child with her husband Frank (Brian d'Arcy James) of many years, but her focus is torn when she has the opportunity to write another Broadway hit.
A rivalry soon forms for the lead role between a youthful, inexperienced Midwestern beauty Karen (Katharine McPhee) - who is trying to find fame in the big city against all odds - and stage veteran Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty), who's determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break.
A tenacious producer Eileen (Anjelica Huston) discovers the Marilyn project and jumps on board with a brilliant director, Derek (Jack Davenport) - whose talent is matched by his cunning and egocentric amorality.
Jaime Cepero stars as Ellis and Raza Jaffrey stars as Dev.
The series stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar-winner Steven Spielberg (ER, Schindler's List). The pilot was written by creator/executive producer and acclaimed playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, NYPD Blue).
David Marshall Grant (Brothers & Sisters), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Chicago, Hairspray) and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (United States of Tara, The Borgias) also serve as executive producers.
Original songs are written by Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), who serve as executive producers as well.
Smash is a production of Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television and Madwoman in the Attic. The pilot was directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot).
Seasons
Note: the series moved from M-Net Series to M-Net Series Showcase (simulcast in HD) for Season 2
Season 1 (15 episodes)
Channel: M-Net Series | Premiere: 18 Oct 2012 | Finale: 24 Jan 2013 | Thu, 19h30
Season 2 (17 episodes)
Premiere: M-Net Series Showcase | Premiere: 14 Jul 2013 | Finale: 3 Nov 2013 | Sun, 19h30