Netflix unveils three new series as part of $1.5bn annual investment in UK
Netflix has commissioned three more series out of the UK and claimed it has invested almost US$6bn in the British creative economy since 2020.
The streamer hosted an event in London this evening to reveal the three new commissions – Black Doves, Department Q and a sequel to the feature film Bank of Dave – alongside hefty investment figures welcomed by UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and UK producers’ body Pact.
The US-based streamer said its latest investment figures show it has spent almost US$6bn making films and series in the UK over the past four years and it now invests almost US$1.5bn a year in UK production, up US$500m each year between 2020 and 2023.
The news comes as the streamer continues to commission originals around the world in a bid to attract and retain more subscribers outside of the US, having revealed plans earlier this week to spend US$2.5bn on South Korean content over the next four years.
Also during the event, the streamer announced it had commissioned Black Doves from Noisy Bear and Sister, created and written by Joe Barton and starring Keira Knightley. The series follows a woman embarking on a passionate affair that endangers her carefully constructed web of subterfuge.
It has also ordered eight-part series Department Q, which will be produced by Left Bank Pictures and lead-directed by Scott Frank, who drew comparisons between the show and old-school British procedurals such as Cracker and Prime Suspect.
An adaptation by Chandni Lakhani of the novels of the same name from Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, the series centres on a former top detective in Edinburgh assigned to a cold case whilst wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralysed and another policeman dead.
Bank of Dave: The Sequel, meanwhile, will be produced by Tempo Productions and Future Artists. Directed by Chris Foggin, the follow-up to Netflix feature Bank of Dave is based on a true story and sees Dave Fishwick taking on a new and more dangerous adversary: the payday lenders.
Guests at the event were also shown exclusive clips from documentaries from David Beckham and Robbie Williams, plus on-set interviews with Benedict Cumberbatch and Guy Ritchie.
Talent in attendance included Rapman (Supacell), Daniel Kaluuya (The Kitchen), Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once), Sam McAlister (Scoop), Alistair Petire (Sex Education), Claudia Harrison (The Crown), Yasmin Finney (Heartstopper) and Joey Batey (The Witcher).
“It is hugely welcome to see Netflix significantly increase its investment in the UK, demonstrating the sheer strength of our TV and film industry as the largest in Europe,” said Sunak.
“Our world-renowned British creative industries employ over two million people and are growing at twice the rate of the economy – and Netflix has been a key part of this success.
“Our creative talent is among the world’s best, producing entertainment that is watched across the globe and creating new jobs and opportunities here at home.”
Anne Mensah, Netflix’s VP of content in the UK, said: “It’s no secret that the UK produces some of the world’s most iconic entertainment. This is true for Netflix, too – from Top Boy to The Crown, Heartstopper to The Tinder Swindler, our productions are some of the buzziest, most watched and zeitgeist-defining in the world.
“We are deeply committed to the UK and I’m incredibly proud to announce today that between 2020 and 2023 we will, in fact, have invested almost US$6bn creating Netflix series and films here – an increase of nearly 50% on what we originally anticipated.”
John McVay, CEO of Pact, said: “We’re delighted that Netflix continues to make globally renowned series and films right across the country, investing in the UK’s world-class independent production sector and the next generation of creative talent, in addition to supporting thousands of jobs.
“This is a real sign of confidence in the UK’s screen industries, reflecting our tradition of creative excellence, highly skilled crews and state-of-the-art facilities. All of these things come together to make this country one of the best places in the world for production.”
