BBC One Daytime confirms return of crime drama London Kills

BBC One Daytime confirms return of crime drama London Kills

August 15, 2019; BBC One Daytime has confirmed the return of popular police drama London Kills following its recent success in the schedule. The first series averaged an audience of 1.2m – a total of 2.1m viewers watched the first episode across all platforms – making it the biggest daytime drama of the year.

Acquired from Acorn Media International (AMI), the drama features a stand-out cast of great British acting talent including Hugo Speer (Father Brown) and Sharon Small (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries).

London is the backdrop for an elite murder squad comprised of Detective Inspector David Bradford (Hugo Speer), ambitious Detective Sergeant Vivienne Cole (Sharon Small) who plays by her own rules, seasoned crime-solver Detective Constable Rob Brady (Bailey Patrick) and inexperienced Trainee Detective Constable Billie Fitzgerald (Tori Allen-Martin). 

The second series will see detectives tackle a brand new murder case in each episode but it’s the one mystery David can’t solve that continues to haunt him. In a dramatic plot twist, detectives will begin to think the unthinkable – did the Detective Inspector murder his wife?

Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition, BBC said: “London Kills delivered impressive ratings for BBC One daytime, along with a significant uplift in iPlayer requests, and we are delighted that the drama has been so popular with BBC audiences.  The next series promises to deliver even more of the terrific twists and turns that have left viewers eager for more.”

Stuart Shaw, Managing Director, Acorn Media International said: “We’re thrilled with how well BBC audiences have responded to London Kills and they will now be able to enjoy a second series next year.”

London Kills are 5 x 60’ series Executive Produced by Paul Marquess, Shane Murphy for Acorn Media Enterprises, and Sarah Eichenlaub for ZDF Enterprises. Series 2 is written by Paul Marquess, Sarah-Louise Hawkins, Jake Riddell, Sally Tatchell and Claire Fryer, and directed by Fiona Walton and Sean Glynn.

London Kills (Series Two) will be back on BBC One Daytime in early 2020.

Notes to Editor

Guest Cast

High profile guest stars include Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey, Galavant, The Job Lot), Steve John Shepherd (This Life, Silent Witness, EastEnders) and Zoe Telford (Unforgotten, Criminal Justice, Teachers).

Acorn Media

Acorn Media International is a division of Acorn TV, North America’s most popular streaming service for British and international television. With offices in the UK and Australia, Acorn Media International licenses a catalogue of compelling TV programmes and feature films to broadcasters and media platforms around the world.  

These include such titles as Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None & The Witness for the Prosecution; Foyle’s War; and The Bletchley Circle. Through Acorn Media Enterprises, its UK development arm, Acorn TV commissions and co-produces new programs for its leading SVOD service and Acorn Media International. Its growing catalogue features a wide range of popular and award-winning TV dramas including Kay Mellor’s Love, Lies and Records & Girlfriends; Irish legal drama Striking Out; BAFTA-winning comedy Detectorists, Series 3; Anglo-Welsh thriller Keeping Faith and the second series of the much-loved Agatha Raisin, starring Ashley Jensen in the title role, based on the best-selling novels of MC Beaton.

Representing all territories outside of North America, Acorn Media International’s titles are also distributed by them in multiple formats including broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-ray, digital download, and digital streaming. Acorn TV is owned by RLJ Entertainment, Inc., a privately owned subsidiary of AMC Networks.