Cooper & Fry: British Crime Series Secures American Audience
The British television series Cooper & Fry is bound for the United States after being acquired by the streaming service BritBox. The show has already gained popularity on the Paramount-operated network 5 in the UK and is now set to captivate audiences in the U.S. and Canada with its first season. Additionally, Netflix has secured the rights to stream the series in the UK after its initial broadcast window.
About the Series
Cooper & Fry is based on the popular detective novels by Stephen Booth and features the investigative team of Ben Cooper and Diane Fry. The characters are portrayed by Robert James-Collier, known for his role in Downton Abbey, and Mandip Gill from Doctor Who. Set against the scenic backdrop of England’s Peak District, the narrative delves into the lives of the detectives as they solve complex cases. Cooper is depicted as a man trying to step out from his late father’s shadow, whereas Fry is portrayed as an outsider who is attempting to escape her own troubled past.
Continued Success and Upcoming Seasons
Following its successful debut, Cooper & Fry has been renewed for a second season by network 5, with production currently in progress. The new season, scheduled to premiere in 2027, is set to adapt several of Booth’s novels including The Devil’s Edge, Fall Down Dead, One Last Breath, and The Murder Road.
Production and International Sales
The series is produced by Clapperboard, a company overseen by Mike Benson and supported by Studio TF1, which also handles international distribution. The collaborative efforts of Clapperboard and Studio TF1 have been instrumental in introducing the show to a global audience.
The acquisition of Cooper & Fry by BritBox and Netflix UK is part of a broader series of international distribution agreements. The series has been picked up by various broadcasters around the world, including ABC in Australia, Discovery in Italy, Disney in the Balkans, and Virgin Media in Ireland. Additionally, in Scandinavia and the Benelux region, the series has been acquired by BBC First (Netherlands), VRT (Belgium), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), and SVT (Sweden). In Japan, the series will be broadcast on WOWOW.
Global Partnerships and Series Appeal
Camille Dupeuble, EVP International TV and Digital Distribution at Studio TF1, emphasized the strategic partnerships formed to promote unique English-language content globally. According to Dupeuble, the strong procedural element of the crime series, combined with the intriguing dynamic between the main characters, has positioned Cooper & Fry as a series destined for ongoing success and robust sales across different markets.
The carefully crafted characters and engrossing plot have not only ensured the show’s popularity in the UK but have also set the stage for it to become a favorite among international audiences.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
