The Killing:
The killing is a 2011 crime series that follows the police investigation of the murder of a young girl. It interlocks three different stories.
Production companies: Fox Television Studios; Fuse Entertainment; KMF Films; Fabrik Entertainment
Original network: AMC (2011–13); Netflix (2014)
Based on: Forbrydelsen; by Søren Sveistrup
Original release: April 3, 2011 –; August 1, 2014
Executive producers: Veena Sud; Mikkel Bondesen; Søren Sveistrup; Piv Bernth; Ingolf Gabold; Dawn Prestwich; Nicole Yorkin
co-production of Danish and German PSB companies (DK and ZDF)
creates a more powerful transnational base, able to negotiate
international deals
• The Killing was designed to exploit the economic possibilities offered
by an international/ global market (e.g. success of Wallander). The
appeal of the series was extended through the production of American and Turkish versions
• themes and setting are constructed to appeal to an international
audience by integrating conventions of a successful US long form
drama and the crime drama but providing difference through the
Nordic Noir brand
• the values of Scandinavian society, which focus on equality, are
appealing to a national audience but also cosmopolitan, transnational audience
• although unknown to the international audience, the series uses the promotion of the star (Sophie Grabol) to market the series
• the character of Sarah Lund is a familiar detective stereotype and conforms to the concept of the celebrity detective
No Offense:
No offense is a crime, drama series where a group of police officers try their best to keep the streets of Manchester free of crime. When all else fails, they decide to use unconventional methods to teach the perpetrators a lesson.
First episode date: May 5, 2015
No. of series: 3
Production company: AbbottVision
Original network: Channel 4
Genre: Police procedural; Drama; Black comedy
Executive producers: Paul Abbott; Martin Carr; Paul Coe
the importance of targeting an audience beyond the national evident
in Channel 4’s investment in online company TRX (The Rights
Exchange) which aims to facilitate the sale of programmes abroad
• No Offence is produced by AbbotVision, the independent producer of
Shameless – which was successfully remade in the US – suggesting
that the appeal to an international audience is a deliberate strategy
• No Offence represents British national culture to a British audience –
but this identity is also used as a selling point internationally through the appeal of difference
• the series has a social realist aesthetic which is a recognizable
national style but is also popular in Europe (evidenced in the
popularity of social realist films in Europe)
• No Offence was broadcast on France2 the public service broadcaster,
to very high viewing figures; the perceived weakness of French
broadcast TV provides opportunities for export.
• the series’ focus on the detective narrative and crime drama is familiar
and understood globally, the representation of the independent,
female detective has proven popularity.