Channel 4 acquires The Killing

11 May 2011

The Killing

Channel 4 has secured the UK premiere free-to-air broadcast rights to Series 1 and 2 of 20th Century Fox Television's version of cult smash The Killing. 

From writer, executive producer and series showrunner Veena Sud (Cold Case), The Killing is based on the wildly successful Danish television series, ‘Forbrydelsen' which centres around the murder of a young girl in Seattle and the subsequent police investigation. The series ties together three distinct stories around the murder, and as it unfolds it becomes clear that there are no accidents; everyone has a secret, and while the characters think they've moved on, their past isn't done with them.

Season 1, which consists of 13 x1 hour episodes, will receive its U.K. premiere on Channel 4 in 2011.

Filmed in Vancouver, the critically acclaimed The Killing is produced by Fox Television Studios and executive produced by Mikkel Bondesen (Burn Notice) for Fuse Entertainment and AMC, home of Mad Men. The deal, brokered by Gill Hay, Channel 4's Head of Acquisitions and Stephen Cornish, SVP & MD of Sales from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, was announced today by Channel 4's Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt.

Of the acquisition Jay Hunt says: 'We are thrilled to acquire The Killing. This intense, atmospheric crime thriller redefines the genre and will sit perfectly alongside Channel 4's stable of award-winning, critically-acclaimed US shows.'

Steve Cornish added: "Following the continued success of other Fox series on Channel 4, we are delighted to be partnered with them on this moving and captivating drama."

Soaked in atmosphere, the slow burning, crime thriller stars Mireille Enos (Big Love) as Sarah Linden, the lead homicide detective that investigates the death of Rosie Larsen; Billy Campbell (Ghost Town, TV's The Practice) as Darren Richmond, Seattle's City Council President and now running for Mayor; Joel Kinnaman (Snabba Cash, God Save The King) as Stephen Holder, an ex-narc cop who joins the homicide division in the investigation to find Rosie's killer; Michelle Forbes (True Blood) as Rosie's mother, Mitch Larsen; and Brent Sexton (Flightplan, TV's The Mentalist) as Rosie's father, Stan Larsen. The pilot is directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster).

The Killing is co-produced by Fuse's Kristen Campo, AMC's Joel Stillerman, senior vice president of original programming, production and digital content, Susie Fitzgerald, senior vice president of scripted development and current programming. Jason Fisher, senior vice president of production oversees production of the series for the AMC network.

Ends

 

About Twentieth Century Fox:

Twentieth Century Fox is a subsidiary of News Corporation.  News Corporation's diversified global operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Latin America and the Pacific Basin include the production and distribution of motion pictures and television programming; television, satellite and cable broadcasting, the publication of newspapers, magazines and books; the production and distribution of promotional and advertising products and services; the development of digital broadcasting; the development of conditional access and subscriber management systems.