Netflix is restoring the award-winning British police drama “Line of Duty” back to its service in a number of significant international territories following a new deal being struck with World Productions.
Netflix pulled the series in April after rights talks broke down following the collapse of Kew Media Group. Netflix has now bypassed new owners Quiver Entertainment and gone straight to the show’s producer World Productions to cut a deal.
As a result, Seasons 1-4 will be restored in the UK along with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia-Pacific with the fifth season to be added shortly. BritBox holds the U.S. rights.
ITV Studios has secured the rights to sell the sixth season internationally. That sixth season was partway through production when the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down. Kelly McDonald serves as the new season’s big guest star, she plays a detective who piques the interest of anti-corruption unit AC12.
Last year’s fifth season pulled in 12 million viewers for the finale, making it one of the BBC’s biggest shows of 2019.
The restoration comes as both Netflix and BritBox have removed comedy series “Little Britain” from their platforms amid concerns about its use of blackface for certain characters as the series saw its stars play characters from different ethnic backgrounds with the use of make-up.
Source: Deadline
