Netflix secures global rights to Gotham before Batman prequel even airs

The US drama is set to air in the UK on Channel 5 this autumn

Gotham is coming to UK shores this autumn (Warner Bros)

Upcoming Batman prequel Gotham is headed for Netflix as soon as the first season finishes airing on TV.

The popular streaming service has secured the rights for the much-hyped new drama series, starring The OC’s Benjamin McKenzie as future Gotham police commissioner James Gordon.

It is the first time that a series has been confirmed for a video-on-demand subscription platform before its broadcast debut, Deadline reports.

Fox’s run of Gotham is set to begin on 22 September while the 16-episode show is expected to hit the UK’s Channel 5 this autumn.

Classic Batman villains including the Penguin, the Riddler, the Joker, Poison Ivy and Catwoman will appear in Gotham, which sees rookie detective Gordon and a newly-orphaned Bruce Wayne battle to save their city in the dark days before the Dark Knight arrives.

Hugo Strange, Mr Freeze and Harvey Dent are also expected to make appearances, producers have hinted, while Jada Pinkett Smith, Donal Logue and Sean Pertwee are among the cast.

Directed by Danny Cannon, Gotham has been described as a “thrilling drama built on iconic characters that fascinate”.