Amazon prescribes to Doctor Thorne drama

Amazon Prime Instant Video has acquired exclusive US streaming rights to British period drama Doctor Thorne.

Amazon will launch the Julian Fellowes-penned show locally as an Amazon Original on May 20.

This is after a deal with producer The Weinstein Company, which picked up North American distribution rights from the UK’s Hat Trick International last year.

The show, originally for UK commercial net ITV, stars Tom Hollander (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation), Ian McShane (Ray Donovan) and Alison Brie (Mad Men). Amazon will hope it captures the same audience that made Fellowes’ previous series, Downton Abbey, into a success.

“Doctor Thorne‘s multilayered storytelling coupled with an outstanding ensemble cast is an exciting addition to our line-up,” said Roy Price, Amazon’s VP, digital video, and Amazon Studios.

“Prime members have loved having access to Downton Abbey, making each season a top streamed show on Prime Video since 2011, and we hope to make Prime Video the home for even more of Julian Fellowes’ future projects.”