Universal Channel UK buys NBCU-distributed procedural Motive

Universal Channel has picked up UK rights to US crime drama Motive.

The detective series, which stars Kristin Lehman (The Killing) and Louis Ferreira (Stargate Universe), was an original for Canadian broadcaster CTV and was subsequently picked up by US broadcast net ABC.

The Universal cable channel will be the first broadcaster in the UK to show the series. The channel, which is part of NBCUniversal, has bought it from NBCUniversal International Television Distribution.

Each episode of the cop procedural opens by revealing the killer and the victim in a murder case. It will launch on ABC later this month having launched on CTV in February and opening with 1.23 million viewers, which makes it the strongest new series launch of the TV year.

James Newton, UK channel director, Universal Channel, said: “As we prepare to take Universal Channel into the next exciting phase of its development, we’re confident that viewers will love the combination of compelling characters, intrigue and action found in Motive.”

The show is produced by Foundation Features and Lark Productions in association with Bell Media.