Netflix subscribers around the world will get the first peek at Gotham after the new television series’ debut season, according to an agreement announced this week between the streaming video service and Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution.
The upcoming FOX series, which follows a young Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) as he tries to wrest control of the city of Gotham from a rapidly growing criminal element, will be available exclusively on Netflix in various countries after each season. The series premieres September 22 in the U.S.
“While we typically license our programming country by country, we have licensed this very special series to Netflix on a multi-territory basis,” said Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President of Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution, in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Netflix is a perfect home for Gotham following its initial broadcast in each respective country, giving Netflix subscribers the opportunity to catch-up prior to the new season, whether they’re already fans or discovering it for the first time.”
Offering an origin story for the fictional city where Bruce Wayne became an orphan and eventually donned the cape and cowl of Batman, Gotham features a long list of heroes, villains, and supporting characters from The Dark Knight’s history, including quite a few of his most famous rogues. Along with McKenzie in the role of James Gordon, the series’s cast also includes Donal Logue as Detective Harvey Bullock (Gordon’s partner), Jada Pinkett Smith as gangster Fish Mooney, Robin Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot (the man who will become The Penguin), Sean Pertwee as Alfred Pennyworth, Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle (the future Catwoman), and David Mazouz as a young Bruce Wayne.
“Gotham is the most anticipated new series of the fall season and we are thrilled to offer it to our members around the world,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix. “The Batman origin story is sure to have massive global appeal so it is fitting that, along with Warner Television, we have created a new model for distributing a show that international and domestic audiences will love.”
