Netflix has announced one of its broadest UK commissioning slates to date, doubling down on big-name talent, creator-led formats, live sport and established fandoms as the streaming giant looks to keep British audiences hooked.
It comes as B&T is currently on the ground covering the Edinburgh TV Festival.
Announced at the festival, the slate spans drama, comedy, entertainment, factual programming and live events, with Netflix lining up talent including Kate Winslet, Clive Owen, Barry Keoghan, Anya Taylor-Joy, Maxine Peake and Imelda Staunton.
The streamer is also leaning further into creator-led entertainment, with The Sidemen set to bring a new format to the platform, while darts star Luke Littler will front a high-stakes live event alongside Gary Lineker.
Anne Mensah, vice president, UK content at Netflix, said the competitive UK market demanded the platform “swing for exceptional”.
“Across drama, comedy, entertainment, live and factual programming, our slate underscores the risks we are happy to take and the extraordinary UK creativity we are proud to champion,” Mensah said.
Among the headline commissions is The Unheard, a new drama starring Winslet and Peake as two sisters who go on the run after an act of vengeance goes wrong.
The series comes from director Mounia Akl and writer Jack Thorne, with production companies Warp Films, Matriarch and Plan B attached.
Netflix is also expanding the world of Top Boy, with two new series in the pipeline. Jonny Boy will see Barry Keoghan reprise his role as Jonny in a five-episode series created and written by Ronan Bennett, while Jaq will centre on Jasmine Jobson’s character from the original series, with Ryan Calais Cameron attached as creator and writer.
Anya Taylor-Joy will lead How To Kill Your Family, based on Bella Mackie’s bestselling novel, alongside newly announced cast members Clive Owen, Orlando Norman and David Shields.
Comedy is also getting a significant push, with Jig, a six-part mockumentary from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, set in the competitive world of Irish dancing and due to shoot in Northern Ireland next year.
Marbles, meanwhile, is a new family comedy from Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper, starring Robert Webb, Timothy Spall, Alexandra Roach, Denise Welch and Loo Brealey.
Netflix is also continuing to build around the creator economy with Outside, a spin-off from The Sidemen’s hit series Inside. The new format will throw a fresh group of content creators into a forest, competing for a prize of up to £1 million.
Live programming is another major part of the slate, with Beat Luke Littler set to see 20 amateur darts players compete against the world number one for the chance to win £501,000.
Gary Lineker will host the live event, with Richard Osman joining as expert analyst.
The streamer is also adapting a collection of Roald Dahl’s short stories for adults into a six-part series starring Naomi Scott, Josh Finan, Staunton, Nicola Coughlan, Toby Jones and Dominic West.
Production begins this month in Manchester and across the North of England.
The slate comes as Netflix continues to broaden its offering beyond traditional scripted streaming fare, with live sport, creator formats and event programming increasingly sitting alongside its blockbuster drama and comedy output.
With the new commissions, Netflix said it is aiming to bring a mix of established franchises, cult fandoms and new formats to audiences in 2027.
“Bring on 2027, we can’t wait,” Mensah said.
