The British crime series “Whitstable Pearl” has signed deals to expand its international distribution, bringing the show to viewers around the world. Produced for AMC Networks’ streaming service Acorn TV, the drama stars Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan, a restaurant owner who moonlights as an amateur sleuth in the English coastal town of Whitstable.
Already popular in Europe, the third season has been licensed to public broadcasters in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and beyond. In addition, BBC Worldwide purchased rights to air the program on its channels in Asia and Benelux countries. The U.S.-based NBCUniversal acquired rights for its pan-African television networks.
Outside of Europe, Canadian media company Corus Entertainment secured all three seasons for its French-language drama channel SériesPlus. Elsewhere, Warner Bros. Discovery and Italy’s NHK Japan obtained rights to the first and second seasons, respectively.
The widening worldwide reach shows ongoing strong demand for “cozy crime” shows, according to Tim Mutimer, CEO of international distributor Cineflix Rights. He explained that the genre, known for quirky plots and intriguing characters set in scenic locations, remains very popular. The scenic English seaside town featured in “Whitstable Pearl” helps bring author Julie Wassmer’s novels to life for global viewers.
Industry observers note that cozy crime dramas have proven reliably successful in international markets. Examples include long-running hits like “Midsomer Murders” and “Death in Paradise,” as well as the French series “HPI,” which will soon receive an American remake on ABC. The global success of “Whitstable Pearl” suggests these feel-good whodunits continue to attract eager audiences worldwide.
