European crime drama Crossing Lines is getting a second life on Netflix. The series’ first season, which aired in summer 2013 on NBC, is now available on the streaming website.
The series stars William Fichtner (Prison Break) as a disgraced New York cop who moves to Europe to head up a justice league that hunts down serial killers. Donald Sutherland also stars.
The series made history last year as the first European series – it was produced by Germany’s Tandem Communications and Ed Bernero’s Bernero Productions -- to air on a major U.S. network. It also aired in Italy, France, Germany and Canada. Production on a second season is already underway in Prague.
Fichtner tells THR via phone from Prague that the European set helps lend the show authenticity.
“I think it makes a difference,” he says. “European audiences are used to seeing things set in Europe. We’re in their backyard. We have actors on the show that are from their backyard.”
PHOTO: The Faces of Pilot Season 2014
The cast does resemble a virtual European Union with France’s Marc Lavoine and Moon Dailly, Italy’s Gabriella Pession, Germany’s Tom Wlaschiha and Ireland’s Richard Flood.
NBC has yet to commit to airing the sophomore season. The show, popular in Europe, started strong on NBC but dipped to a series low 0.4 rating by its two-hour finale on Aug. 18.
Fichtner says that airing the first season on Netflix could help draw new American viewers.
“It’s a tough time to be on American TV in the summer,” he adds. “It’s nothing but good to have Netflix on board. Anything to get your show out there is great.”
Amazon's British VOD division LoveFilm U.K. began streaming the first season of Crossing Lines for British audiences on Oct. 25 and has also acquired the U.K. streaming rights to the second season.
