E4 and Netflix partner for series about virtual worlds

A TV series that partly takes place in a virtual world has been green lit as a co-production between E4 and Netflix.

Called Kiss Me First, it will debut on E4 in the UK before being rolled out in all other territories via Netflix (where it will not be available in the UK). The show is based on Lottie Moggach’s debut novel of the same name.

The central theme is the link between social media and loneliness. The series will combine live action with CGI sequences starring avatars of the main stars.

Broadcast Now reports that six one-hour episodes have been given the nod. It’s the first time E4 has co-produced a series and the first the pair have negotiated ahead of commission, although they have partnered before with Netflix’s acquisition of Ricky Gervais’ series Derek.

Drama on E4 is going to start to look very different,” Channel 4’s head of drama Piers Wenger said. It’ll be much easier for our original commissions to hold a candle to a lot of the US acquisitions.”