Amazon gives Ripper Street two more seasons

Having rescued UK drama Ripper Street, Amazon has now committed to two more seasons of the period detective series.

Amazon stepped in when the BBC said it was cancelling Ripper Street after two series and co-funded a third season, which launched on its Prime Instant Video service last November.

The SVOD service has the first window on the show with coproduction partners BBC One and BBC America getting it later.

Amazon never releases any viewing numbers, but said its third season of Ripper Street was more popular than zombie smash hit The Walking Dead or History channel hit Vikings on its streaming service.

It added that it was the most-watched new show on Prime Instant Video, suggesting fans of the show signed up to see the new season.

Production has started on the new season of Ripper Street, with launch dates being announced later in the year. Endemol Shine prodco Tiger Aspect and BBC Worldwide-backed Lookout Point produce the series.

Jay Marine, VP, Amazon Instant Video EU, said: “We’re excited to add to our premium original TV line-up with the production of a further two series of this hit show exclusively for our UK Prime customers.”

He added: “With two Golden Globes under our belt already this year for Amazon Original Series Transparent, we want to cement our position as the home for the best TV in the business.”

Tiger Aspect’s head of drama, Will Gould, said: “Thanks to all our partners who have got us this far – to Amazon, the BBC, BBC America and BBC Worldwide.”