In the first clip from Benedict Cumberbatch's new series, "Patrick Melrose," he's recklessly downing drinks and dealing with the voices in his head. As the waiter looks on askance, he tells himself, "Everything's under control."

We learn he's "withdrawing from heroin and is high on speed," which should make for an acting buffet for the "Sherlock" star. The five-part limited series is based on the best-selling novels of Edward St Aubyn.

Each episode will be based on a different novel, which are about a man who "struggles to overcome the damage inflicted by a horribly abusive father and the mother who tacitly condoned his behavior." The episodes will be set in the South of France in 1960s, New York in the 1980s, and Britain in the early 2000s.

The series will debut on Showtime on May 12 at 9 p.m., Showtime announced today.

This is the first original Showtime series that will air on a Saturday, part of the channel's effort to expand its programming. Says President and CEO David Nevins in the press release, "Offering original content on Saturdays not only enables us to fully service our subscribers with diverse offerings, it gives viewers enough time to enjoy them all. And a series with the ambition and quality of 'Patrick Melrose' is the perfect place to start."

The series also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hugo Weaving, Blythe Danner, and Allison Williams.

[Via THR]