Netflix will exclusively stream the third season of "The Killing" three months after its season finale on AMC this year, the company announced on Thursday.

The streaming service's deal with Fox Television Studios, which produces the series, "played an extremely significant part" of the strategy that allowed the initially canceled drama to return to television this year. 

The show's revival for a third season was announced in January.

Also read: AMC's 'The Killing' Renewed for 3rd Season [5]

"Our agreement with Netflix played an extremely significant part in the studio's strategy that enabled us to bring 'The Killing' back for a third season," David Madden, president of Fox Television Studios, said. "We are delighted to be in business with Netflix to deliver season 3, as well as past seasons of 'The Killing' to a broader audience worldwide."

Production on the new season began at the end of February; it is scheduled to air sometime in May.

Series leads Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman return as Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder, respectively. The story picks up a year after the former partners closed the Rosie Larsen murder case. Although Linden is no longer a detective, she is drawn back into the life she thought she'd left behind when Holder discovers a gruesome string of murders that connects to one of her previous murder investigations.

"We're excited to see 'The Killing' back on TV and we're especially proud to bring season 3 to our members so soon after it premieres on AMC," said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix.  "The Killing is a terrific serialized drama and we know our members love these high-quality shows."

Season 1 and Season 2 of "The Killing" are already available on Netflix.