Sylvester Stallone poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Paramount+ flexed the star power of its shows as it prepares to launch in the United Kingdom with an event attended by Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Kevin Costner, Jessica Chastain and more.
The expansion delivers overseas some popular programs like Costner's 'œYellowstone'ť and "Star Trek Discovery'ť to U.K. audiences. Subscribers will also get to see Stallone's scripted television debut in 'œTulsa King,'ť in which he plays a Mafia capo.
'œIt's just something I've always wanted to do, and I don't know how I've avoided playing a mobster my whole life. I don't get it - that's the way people look at me anyway. So finally, an opportunity comes along,'ť Stallone said.
The service launches Wednesday.
Paramount+ joins an already crowded market of streaming giants in the U.K. and will compete with Amazon, Netflix and others. It arrives with more than 8,000 hours of programs, including the expanding 'œYellowstone'ť series. Paramount and MTV Entertainment Studios announced Monday that its next spinoff starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford would be titled 'œ1923'ť and would focus on the Prohibition era following World War I.
Chastain stars with Michael Shannon in the series 'œGeorge & Tammy,'ť while Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson appear in 'œThe First Lady,'ť about U.S. presidents' wives.
Sonequa Martin-Green was thrilled that her series 'œStar Trek Discovery'ť will reach a wider audience. "Especially with '~Trek,' I think it should always be globally celebrated because of what it represents and because of what it's done.'ť
Miranda Cosgrove's hit series 'œiCarly'ť will also feature on the streaming platform.
'œHopefully it'll make people happy here like it did in the United States,'ť said the 29-year-old actor, singer and producer. 'œI've played the character Carly for most of my life. So, yeah, it's definitely something that I hold very dear to my heart.'ť
Viola Davis, from left, Gillian Anderson and Michelle Pfeiffer poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Kevin Costner poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Viola Davis poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Sylvester Stallone poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Jessica Chastain poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Gillian Anderson poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Chiwetel Ejiofor, from left, Naomie Harris and Bill Nighy pose for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Jessica Chastain poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press
Sylvester Stallone poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK launch of the streaming site Paramount +, in London, Monday, June 20, 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Associated Press