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Netflix: 'The Killing' revival follows Marvel series deal

Netflix: 'The Killing' gets resurrected for six final episodes, after AMC canceled the TV series. But wait, Netfilx is into more than 'The Killing' revival. Netflix just struck at deal with Disney's Marvel too.

With the fourth resurrection of The Killing, Netflix continues to develop its role as a producer – not just a distributor – of original content.

Netflix announced that it will be backing the production of the fourth and "final" season of The Killing, after AMC canceled the show.

“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,” Cindy Holland, vice president of original content for Netflix, said in a statement. “We are looking forward to offering fans - both existing and new - a series that we know is perfectly suited for on-demand viewing.”

The Hollywood Reporter says that "the series' stars Joel Kinnaman and Mireille Enos will return, with the show set to explore a new case. The series' writing staff and crew will return as well, with production set to begin in Canada in February."

"The Killing," based on a Danish TV series was canceled by AMC it after a second-year ratings slump. The cable channel changed its mind, brought it back, and then canceled it again after a small audience turnout this summer.

The Killing revival fits with an emerging pattern of producing and distributing more Netflix original content. Last year, Netflix produced and aired the political satire "House of Cards" and the dark prison comedy "Orange is the New Black."

Earlier this month, the online streaming service announced a deal with Disney's Marvel unit to produce four new TV series and one miniseries.

The multi-year deal with Marvel will start in 2015, and result in four 13-episode shows, focused on Marvel characters: the "Daredevil," "Jessica Jones," "Iron Fist" and "Luke Cage." Similar to "The Avengers," the mini-series with be called "The Defenders," which "reimagines a dream team of self-sacrificing, heroic characters," according to a press release by the two companies.

"This deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvel's brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel’s specialty," said Alan Fine, President of Marvel Entertainment in a statement. "This serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what's sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure."

"Marvel’s movies, such as 'Iron Man' and 'Marvel’s The Avengers,' are huge favorites on our service around the world. Like Disney, Marvel is a known and loved brand that travels," said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. "With 'House of Cards' and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution and we're thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude."

The series will be produced by Marvel Television and ABC Television Studios. Marvel currently produces a show called "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." for ABC.

Reuters reports that Netflix has said it will double investments in original programming in 2014, when it will air second seasons of both "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black." But spending on original shows is expected to remain below 10 percent of its global content expenses.

The Netflix customer base has risen to  31.1 million U.S. streaming subscribers last quarter, reports Reuters.

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