Netflix orders first Canadian drama

Netflix is expanding its international drama roster with an order for its first original series from Canada.

The US video rental firm has struck a deal with Rogers Broadcasting’s City stations and Canadian subscription VoD service Shomi for a survivalist thriller titled Between.

Under the three-way deal, the drama will premiere on City, Shomi and Netflix outside of Canada where the service is available. It will then come to Netflix Canada one year following the initial premiere.

The series, created by writer/director Michael McGowan (Still Mine) and starring Jennette McCurdy (iCarly, Sam & Cat), portrays a town under siege from a mysterious disease that has wiped out everybody except people aged under 21 year.

It will be produced by Don Carmody Television and McGowan’s Mulmur Feed Co in association with Elevation Pictures Corp.

Between, which has started shooting in Toronto, is exec produced by McGowan, David Cormican, Naveen Prasad and McGowan. Elevation Pictures will handle worldwide distribution for the series.

“Teaming up with Rogers on Between is a tremendous opportunity to work with a creative partner in Canada to bring our global viewers top-notch content,” said Erik Barmack, VP of global independent content at Netflix.

The company has already made a name for itself with US originals including House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black, while original drama series are in the works in the UK and France.

Earlier this week, Netflix linked up with Wolf of Wall Street star and environmental campaigner Leonardo DiCaprio for the release of Virunga, a feature-length documentary about African gorilla preservation.