“The Killing” is getting a third life on Netflix. The crime drama, based on a Danish series “Forbrydelsen,” ran for two seasons on AMC before getting canceled in July of last year. Then in January of this year the network and production company Fox Television Studios managed to cut a deal to bring the show back for a third season, this time with Seattle detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) working on a new case involving a string of murders. Netflix negotiated to stream the new episodes exclusively three months after they aired.
In September, AMC canceled the show again. But today, Netflix has announced its intentions to, “Arrested Development”-style, go in on a fourth, final six-episode season of the series that will serve as a conclusion, and that will be available only from the streaming service. (The first three seasons are currently on Netflix.)
“The rich, serialized storytelling in ‘The Killing’ thrives on Netflix, and we believe that it is only fitting to give Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder a proper send off,” said the company’s Cindy Holland. “We are looking forward to offering fans — both existing and new — a series that we know is perfectly suited for on-demand viewing.”
Fox TV Studios’ David Madden added “It’s a true testament to ‘The Killing’ creator Veena Sud, and the stellar cast led so compellingly by Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, that fans remained so passionate about the show. We’re gratified that our partners at Netflix recognized this, and are giving us the opportunity to complete the story in a way that will be satisfying to our loyal audience.”
This move, while a little bewildering, emphasizes what Netflix’s earlier interest in making a deal for season three of the show already indicated — “The Killing” has to be doing very well by their metrics.
