Ellis Scores Second Season & New Global Deals

Acorn TV and 5’s detective drama Ellis has been recommissioned for a second season, and All3Media International has inked new global deals for the series.

The second season of Ellis will again follow the titular tenacious DCI who, along with her righthand man DS Harper, is sent in to help failing investigations across the north of England. In a raft of new deals, season one has been picked up in Europe, Australia and Asia.

In Europe, season one was acquired by ZDF for Germany and German-speaking territories, VRT for Flemish Belgium, SVT for Sweden, NPO for the Netherlands and BBC Studios for the Balkans and Central Eastern Europe. Nine Network licensed the first season for Australia in a second-window deal after Acorn TV’s premiere in the region. Mystery Channel picked up season one for Japan.

Ellis stars Sharon D Clarke (Mr Loverman, Showtrial, Lost Boys & Fairies, Rocketman) in the lead role. She is joined by Andrew Gower (The Winter King, Carnival Row, Outlander) as DS Harper.

The series is produced by Company Pictures in association with All3Media International and Northern Ireland Screen. It is created by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre with Paul Logue. Season two will be written by Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, Oliver Frampton and Maria Ward.

“I am thrilled to return as DCI Ellis,” Clarke said. “The response to the first series was overwhelming, and I am excited to continue this journey with such a talented team, especially with the wonderful Andrew Gower by my side. Ellis is a character who resonates deeply, and I can’t wait for audiences to see what we have in store for her and Harper in series two.”

“Following the huge success of the first series of Ellis, we are thrilled for it to return with the brilliant Sharon D Clarke and Andrew Gower reprising their roles,” commented Paul Testar, commissioning editor for scripted at 5. “We can’t wait to bring the detective duo back to the 5 audience next year.”

A representative for Acorn Media Enterprises and Acorn TV, said, “Ellis was an instant fan-favorite for the Acorn TV audience and met with rave reviews from top critics for its elevated and smart storytelling brought to life by the incomparable Sharon D Clarke and Andrew Gower. We could not be more excited to dive in on a second season of unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat cases with this dynamic pair.”

“I’m thrilled Ellis has been a success for 5 and Acorn TV and so happy to return for a second series, creating new and engrossing stories for fans and new audiences to watch,” added Michele Buck, CEO of Company Pictures.

David Swetman, senior VP of content and commercial strategy at All3Media International, commented, “We’re delighted to reveal the first round of premium global partners bringing Company Pictures’ Ellis to an international audience. With a second season now commissioned, it’s fantastic to bring our clients and their audiences a new slate of compelling mysteries led by the enigmatic and brilliant DCI Ellis—a standout new addition to our distinct and celebrated detective lineup brought to life by an exceptional performance from Sharon D Clarke.”