Michelle Keegan to be offered multi-million-pound Netflix deal which could help her crack America
FORMER Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan is poised to bag a multi-million-pound deal from Netflix that could see her crack America.
Bosses are discussing offering her a string of shows on the back of the success of drama Fool Me Once — the streamer’s No1 TV series in the UK and the US.
Michelle, 36, tops the bill in the thriller — based on Harlan Coben’s novel — as ex-Army helicopter pilot Maya Stern struggling to cope with the death of husband Joe, played by The Hobbit star Richard Armitage.
This weekend, the eight-part drama — also starring Dame Joanna Lumley, Adeel Akhtar and Emmett J. Scanlan — is set to hit 40million views around the world.
An insider said of Stockport-born Michelle, who made her name as Corrie’s Tina McIntyre: “She’s proved you don’t have to be the stereotypical plum-voiced leading lady to appeal to an international audience.
“Michelle offers something different, but with all the charm, glamour and sex appeal that makes her one of Britain’s most exciting acting exports.
“America is seen as a market where they believe she could make the greatest impact.”
The insider added: “With so many rival streamers eyeing Michelle up now, it’s a no-brainer for Netflix to sign her.
“But they’re likely to have to offer her a six-figure sum to keep her for multiple projects.”
Netflix has so far turned eight Coben novels into series as part of a mega-money deal.
But Fool Me Once is by far the most successful, entering the top ten in 91 countries and eclipsing other UK drama exports, including the latest season of The Crown. Netflix declined to comment.