Were you bummed when AMC cancelled The Killing for yet a second time? Well, it’s time to cheer up as Netflix, the streaming juggernaut, has revived the series for a fourth season. This is a pretty smart decision as it’s currently one of Netflix’s top streamed shows, so it already has a built-in and engaged audience. For creator Veena Sud this is another chance to continue the series and to wrap up loose strings.
The series’ leads, Sarah “yo” Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman), are set to continue their roles on the show to uncover another case to explore for the fourth season. This fourth season will be billed as the final season of The Killing , so it will be a bittersweet season, but one that’s deserved.
The vice president of original content for Netflix, Cindy Holland, expressed her excitement for fans of the show The Killing:
“The rich, serialized storytelling in The Killing thrives on Netflix, and we believe that it is only fitting to give Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder a proper send off. We are looking forward to offering fans – both existing and new – a series that we know is perfectly suited for on-demand viewing.”
FOX TV Studios president, David Madden, also weighed in on The Killing’s resurrection and new home with Netflix:
“It’s a true testament to The Killing creator Veena Sud, and the stellar cast led so compellingly by Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, that fans remained so passionate about the show. We’re gratified that our partners at Netflix recognized this, and are giving us the opportunity to complete the story in a way that will be satisfying to our loyal audience.”
The Killing has always been an unorthodox show for its season-long arcs. It was famously cancelled by AMC after viewership dropped in the second season due to the show dragging the “who killed Rosie Larsen” case beyond its first season. Learning from its mistakes, when AMC decided to renew it again and focused on a case per season set up. To no avail AMC decided it wasn’t working and it was announced that The Killing would not return for a fourth season.
The Killing is the second show that Netflix has revived. The first is of course the critically acclaimed series Arrested Development .