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Netflix takes on planned NBC series

US video streamer Netflix has picked up the first two seasons of forthcoming Tina Fey comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, originally due to air on NBC.

The Universal Television series stars Ellie Kemper (The Office) as a woman who escapes from a doomsday cult and starts life over in New York.

The 13-episode first season was slated to premiere on NBC but will now launch exclusively across all Netflix territories in March 2015.

The deal comes a week after Netflix stepped in to take a fourth series of Longmire, after A&E cancelled the show. The subscription VoD service has adopted the same tactic with The Killing, which originated on AMC.

NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said: “While it was originally developed for NBC, we have a very drama-heavy mid-season schedule so we’re thrilled about this Netflix opportunity; it’s an instant win-win for everyone, including Tina, Robert, and Universal Television.

“Everyone here from Universal Television will do everything possible to see that Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt becomes a long-running hit on Netflix.”

The series was created by 30 Rock stars Fey and Robert Carlock, who serve as executive producers with Jeff Richmond (30 Rock), Jack Burditt (30 Rock, The Mindy Project) and David Miner (30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine).

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a production of Universal Television, Little Stranger Inc, 3 Arts Entertainment and Bevel Gears for Netflix.

In related news, Netflix and NBC have cancelled in-development projects with comedian Bill Crosby after allegations resurfaced that the 77-year-old had sexually assaulted women.

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