'The Killing' Season 3 Looking Likely Thanks To Netflix

nullWith their moves to not only bring back “Arrested Development” but to also debut David Fincher's "House Of Cards," there should be no doubt that Netflix wants to take on the television industry at large and position themselves as a viable alternative to the networks. The streaming company is reportedly nearing a deal with AMC to bring back the much-maligned “The Killing” for a third-season.

The deal (which has been rumored since the summer), should it go through, would split the costs between the two companies with AMC getting the right to air the season first before it appears on the streaming service. While it isn’t an outright coup by Netflix, it may open the doors for future collaborations with AMC (or even other networks). And in case you're wondering, both Joel Kinnaman and Mirielle Enos had been signed up by producers Fox TV for a third season, so there's no need to (re)negotiate their contracts.

This situation should be familiar to fans of the TV series “Friday Night Lights,” which was saved from near-cancellation after season 2 by DirecTV with the new seasons airing first on the satellite company’s own original programming channel before airing months later on NBC. It’s a smart deal for all involved especially since the show’s two leads, Enos and Kinnaman, are set to blow-up large with the former appearing in next year’s “World War Z” with Brad Pitt, and the latter starring as the titular “Robocop” in the remake. Production is being eyed to begin in February. [Deadline]