Disney+ open to making original British TV shows and movies

Disney+ is open to producing original TV shows and movies made in the UK, it has said.

The new streaming platform launched here yesterday, after going online in the US last November, but so far its original content is all from the US.

Along with its archive of Disney-made and owned movies and TV shows, it's debuted 26 original movies and TV series too, including Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian and the live-action remake of Lady and the Tramp.

Read more: The classic Simpsons episodes set to stream on Disney+

Ricky Strauss, president of Disney+ content and marketing, told PA: “I think the one thing that we are going to be doing in Europe over time is creating original content for the markets, as we see fit and as the audience demands.

"So in the US a lot of our originals plan is a global plan, so anything that we create coming out of the US is going to be on the service everywhere in the world that we've launched but there might be shows or films that could come from some of the international territories that will be highlighted in those markets and then may be also available in other markets, depending on the content.”

Asked if that meant Disney+ might specifically produce UK-based projects, he added: “Yes, possibly. We have a number of projects in development in some of the markets in Europe including the UK, both in animation and live action, but we just haven't announced them yet, it's still early days.”

Disney+ is aiming to take on existing platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, both of which have invested in British-made film and TV projects.

Read more: Disney+ launch line up

As well as The Mandalorian, Disney+ is also producing series based on other Star Wars characters including Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Cassian Andor, Diego Luna's character from Rogue One.

It is also producing several TV shows in the Marvel universe, including Loki, WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, though filming of the latter is currently suspended due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Disney+ is available now and costs £5.99 for a monthly subscription, or £59.99 for the year.