BritBox’s Bold Move: Bringing UK Drama to America and Back

The streaming service owned by BBC Studios, BritBox, has proven its worth with the crime series “Lynley. ” The show, which stars Leo Suter as Detective Inspector Tommy Lynley and Sofia Barclay as Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, first appeared on BritBox in the United States last September. Its strong performance led to a second season and a broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom starting this January. BBC Studios’ direct‑to‑consumer chief, Robert Schildhouse, explained that the platform rarely commissions shows without a UK broadcaster attached. Yet “Lynley” broke that pattern and succeeded in both markets. Schildhouse’s recent promotion now places him in charge of BritBox, BBC Select, and all future North American streaming projects for the studio.The company views itself as a cultural ambassador. Schildhouse said BritBox is “the primary route to market for British television into the U. S. and North American marketplace. ” He emphasized that the service’s identity is clear: it is a platform that showcases British stories to an international audience. The success of “Lynley” demonstrates how a US‑focused platform can launch British content that resonates with domestic viewers. It also highlights the growing influence of specialized streaming services in bridging cultural gaps and expanding the reach of national television.