Netflix Reveals Almost $6 Billion Investment in British Creative Economy Since 2020, and Announces Three New Commissions

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New commissions from some of the UK’s leading production companies were announced tonight as Netflix revealed an almost $6 billion investment in the UK creative industry. 

Anne Mensah, Vice President, Content, Netflix 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 $6 billion creating Netflix series and films here, an increase of nearly 50% on what we originally anticipated.”

Speaking on stage at See What’s Next, Anne shared news of three new productions for Netflix:

Created and written by Joe Barton (Giri/Haji, The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself, The Lazarus Project), Black Doves is the story of two old friends coming back together, finding trust in one another in a world where trust can get you killed and, ultimately, changing the course of each other’s lives forever. Black Doves will star Keira Knightley in the lead role.

Produced by Joe Barton’s Noisy Bear and SISTER (Chernobyl, This Is Going To Hurt, The Power) for Netflix. Executive Producers are Joe Barton for Noisy Bear, Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, This Is Going To Hurt), Chris Fry (Kaos, Giri/Haji) for SISTER and Keira Knightley.

From Left Bank Pictures, Department Q is an 8-part series, lead directed by multi-award-winning Scott Frank and adapted by Chandni Lakhani, based on the novels of the same name from Danish author, Jussi Adler-Olsen. Shooting will take place in Edinburgh, where the story is set.

The series centres around Carl, a former top-rated detective who is wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralysed and another policeman dead. On his return to work, Carl is assigned to a cold case that will consume his life.

Scott Frank shared: “The fact that I have been a fan of Jussi’s novels for a dozen years now combined with my long-standing obsession with old school British procedurals like “Cracker” and “Prime Suspect,” made this one irresistible. There are ten novels in all, each one is a terrific mystery with great potential for a great season of television. And Carl Morck is one of those classic detective antiheroes, funny and dark at the same time, that I can never get enough of. I think audiences will feel the same way. " 

Episodes 1 and 2  will be directed by Scott Frank (The Queen’s Gambit, Godless). The series is executive produced by Rob Bullock, Scott Frank, Chandni Lakhani and Andy Harries for Left Bank Pictures.

Bank of Dave: The Sequel is inspired by a true story and sees Dave Fishwick taking on a new and more dangerous adversary: The Payday Lenders. In order to take them down and protect some of the most vulnerable members of communities across Britain, Dave has to risk everything – including the community bank he founded two years ago, his liberty and, on occasion, even his life. Produced by Tempo Productions and Future Artists, produced by Piers Tempest and directed by Chris Foggin.

For more information on all shows previewed tonight please see note to editors.