HBO Nordic has bought the exclusive rights for Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland for first run of all new Showtime original series including the new John Logan, Pippa Harris and Sam Mendes executive-produced thriller series Penny Dreadful and drama series Ray Donovan and The Affair. In addition, HBO Nordic has acquired rights to air a large number of Showtime library titles including Dexter, Californication and Nurse Jackie.

The first of the new series to premiere on HBO Nordic will be Penny Dreadful. The first two episodes of the thriller series starring Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton and Eva Green will premiere on May 19 and coming episodes will be available on HBO Nordic the coming Mondays with local subtitles – within 24 hours after the U.S. broadcast. Other premiere dates of Showtime titles will be announced shortly.

“With this partnership with CBS Studios International, HBO Nordic has a unique offering of new and library series from the four major premium U.S. pay-TV operators and surely confirms that it is The Home of Series,” said CEO at HBO Nordic, Hervé Payan.

“We’re excited that HBO audiences across the Nordics now have the opportunity to see the growing portfolio of acclaimed Showtime programming,” said Armando Nuñez, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Global Distribution Group. “This deal with HBO Nordic highlights the increasing appeal and distribution of Showtime content in international marketplace.”