Showtime rescues Netflix’s canned ‘Uncoupled’, while ‘Ripley’ moves to the streamer

Uncoupled

US network Showtime has saved Netflix comedy Uncoupled from cancellation, while thriller series Ripley is reportedly heading in the other direction, finding a new home on the global streamer.

The Neil Patrick Harris-led Uncoupled was canned by Netflix in January, but has been revived for a second season by Showtime just a few weeks later. The series comes from MTV Entertainment Studios, which like Showtime is part of Paramount Global.

Created by Darren Star and Jeffrey Richman, Uncoupled stars Harris as a New York real-estate agent who must adjust to being single in his 40s when he splits with his long-term boyfriend.

Meanwhile, upcoming psychological thriller Ripley, based on Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley novels, will no longer land on Showtime, which ordered the series in 2019 and was expected to debut it later this year.

The series, which was co-produced by Showtime and Endemol Shine North America in association with Entertainment 360 and Filmrights, will instead move to Netflix. Starring Andrew Scott, the 1960s-set series follows the titular grifter Tom Ripley as he is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to convince his son to come home.

The move comes following a new scripted strategy focused on franchise building, unveiled by Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Paramount Media Networks, last month, which saw showtime integrated into Paramount+. The decision has led to the plug being pulled on several other Showtime series, including horror Let The Right One In, crime drama American Gigolo and Three Women, which has now found a new home on Starz.

Showtime is now seeking to expand some of its biggest shows with multiple spin-offs in the works for titles Dexter and Billions.

Both show moves were first reported by Deadline.