Benedict Cumberbatch drama Patrick Melrose will hit screens in May

Benedict Cumberbatch’s new drama will be available to stream on Sunday 13 May, airing at 9pm on the same day.

The Sky Original Production will actually first broadcast at 2am that morning, simulcasting with Showtime over in the US, who own the rights to the joint-venture drama.

Patrick Melrose will then be available to download on Sky and NOW TV is neither a 2am start nor a 9pm showing suit.

The five-part drama stars Sherlock star Cumberbatch as the lead in five different Patrick Melrose novels and follows his journey from childhood to substance abuse.

Alongside Cumberbatch, the cast also includes Jessica Raine, Holliday Grainger, Hugo Weaving and Celia Imrie among its line-up.

Each episode has been penned by BAFTA nominee David Nicholls and directed by Edward Berger, who was behind Deutschland 83.

The series will trek through the 1960s South of France, New York in the 80s and land in Britain in the early 2000s.

The drama is one of a few Sky Originals to hit screens this year with Suranne Jones’ Save Me currently available to download, withy Wednesday at 9pm broadcasts on Sky Atlantic.

The six-parter focuses on Nelly Rowe, a man who has his world turned upside down when his fling Claire McGory accuses him of kidnapping his 13-year-old daughter, Jody, whom he never knew about.

Patrick Melrose airs Sunday 13 May at 9pm on Sky Atlantic.