David Farnor | On 27, Feb 2014

Marvel’s Netflix TV series will film in New York, the company has announced.

The landmark deal between the two media giants was announced last year and will see a string of live-action shows featuring four comic book characters in Hell’s Kitchen stream exclusively on the Internet TV service. This total of 52 one-hour episodes will culminate in a mini-series event combining the characters to form a team, Avengers-style, of New York superheroes: The Defenders.

The series will begin with Daredevil, followed by Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage, all of which will be filmed principally on location in New York – which Marvel says represents “the largest film or television production project commitment in New York State history”.

Filming will start this summer and create at least 3,000 jobs in New York State including up to 400 full time jobs.

“New York is where the entertainment industry started, and this unprecedented commitment from Disney and Marvel is further evidence that we’re bringing it back bigger and better than ever before,” Governor Cuomo announced.

“And when the entertainment industry thrives, it fuels dozens of other industries and businesses. The competition for these projects is fierce and Disney could have chosen to film these shows anywhere, but they knew that shooting in New York means getting to work with the best in world. These shows bring New York’s super heroes home where they belong–along with hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in new business.”

“Since 2008 Disney has directly contributed almost half a billion dollars to New York’s economy through television and film production, along with approximately 9,000 jobs for New Yorkers,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “The Governor’s policies make this great state a more affordable and attractive location, opening the door for even greater economic investment and job creation for New Yorkers. Our Marvel series for Netflix will inject millions directly into the local economy and create hundreds of new jobs.”

“We thank the Governor and the great state of New York for helping us create the ultimate backdrop to this epic series. Setting our production in New York City truly underscores the authenticity and excitement we plan to bring to The Defenders and their ‘flawed heroes of Hell’s Kitchen’ stories,” added Alan Fine, President, Marvel Entertainment.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the headline-grabbing re-brand of LOVEFiLM Instant and several other announcements of new shows, which saw Amazon dominate the VOD news cycle in a manner more often associated with its rival – a sign that Netflix isn’t about to give up its media spotlight any time soon.

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