Amazon to launch Ripper Street ahead of BBC

Having stepped in to co-fund a new series of period drama Ripper Street, Amazon will launch it on its streaming service in the UK ahead of its launch on broadcast and cable channels.

Amazon will debut season three of the drama series on November 14 on its Prime Instant Video service in the UK and Ireland. It will launch with a double bill and regular one-hour installments will follow on a weekly basis thereafter.

The full series run will culminate on December 26 on Amazon. UK terrestrial channel BBC One and BBC Worldwide-owned cable channel BBC America will then show the series in 2015.

Amazon said it will also have an exclusive ‘Amazon cut’ of Ripper Street, with scenes that will not be shown on the BBC.

One of the stars of the show, Jerome Flynn, said: “It is brilliant to be coming back to a new series of Ripper Street, this time with the added vigour provided by the creative freedom afforded by Amazon Prime Instant’s Cut.”

Amazon said in February that it was teaming with the BBC to make the third series of Ripper Street after the BBC had earlier announced its cancellation.

The series is produced by Endemol’s Tiger Aspect and Lookout Point, the producer in which BBC Worldwide recently acquired a stake. BBC Worldwide distributes the series.