DRAMA SOLD IN 60 COUNTRIES

PATRICK Melrose has proved a runaway television success for Sky as the broadcaster increases its output of shows.

The drama based on novels by writer Edward St Aubyn, starring Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, is the firm’s fastest-selling programme ever.

It was snapped up in 60 countries before it aired, and was nominated for five Emmy awards.

The show follows Melrose, who had a privileged but traumatic childhood in the south of France, as he struggles with substance abuse during his twenties in New York and in Britain. Each of the five episodes in the series was based on a different St Aubyn novel.

That helped Sky rake in more than £200m from selling its shows in the year to June 30.

The broadcaster is now boosting its content production budget to around £500m. Other successful Sky shows include Riviera, Jamestown and Britannia.

Jeremy Darroch, the chief executive, said: ‘Patrick Melrose is a great example of how our approach to originals is paying off for both customers and shareholders.’