MUMBAI: BBC America's GM Kathryn Mitchell has signed a multi-million dollar drama deal with television production company Granada International. The two-year output agreement, for 160 hours of drama programming, gives BBC America access to a range of Granada International's new and catalogue drama titles.

Programmes included in the deal have yet to be finalised. However but titles under consideration feature some of Britain brightest stars including Ralph Fiennes The English Patient, Catherine Zeta-Jones Chicago, Penelope Cruz Vanilla Sky, Sir Derek Jacobi, Timothy Dalton, Alex Kingston, Timothy Dalton and Robbie Coltrane. Mitchell says, "This major drama deal with Granada International, combined with our relationships with all UK broadcasters and producers, including the BBC, proves that BBC America is absolutely committed to bringing the best of British television to the US."