BBC Orders Second Season of Bloodlands

Bloodlands, starring James Nesbitt, will return for a second season on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Season one of Bloodlands launched with an average of 8.2 million viewers, making it the biggest new BBC drama launch since last June. In Northern Ireland, the premiere episode had a 52 percent consolidated audience share (live and time-shifted viewing), making it the biggest BBC drama to launch locally on record.

A second season has now been ordered from writer Chris Brandon, who had his first original drama commission in Bloodlands.

Also, Bloodlands is available to stream on Acorn TV in the U.S. and Canada starting today. New episodes will roll out every Monday.

Piers Wenger, director of BBC Drama, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the audience response to Bloodlands and are thrilled to announce that the series is returning. Chris’ scripts shine a light on to tensions in Northern Ireland, both historic and present-day, and it’s a testament to his skills as a dramatist, to a virtuoso performance from Jimmy Nesbitt and the care taken by all at HTM Television, that the series has been so beloved by audiences in Northern Ireland and throughout the U.K.”

Jed Mercurio, executive producer of HTM Television, said: “Everyone at HTM Television is thrilled our debut production has been recommissioned. It’s a tribute to the quality of Chris Brandon’s writing, the hard work of our crew and the brilliant performance of our cast led by James Nesbitt. We’re grateful for the outstanding support we’ve received from the BBC and Northern Ireland Screen and can’t wait to reward Bloodlands fans with another twisty case for Brannick and co.”

Nesbitt added: “I’m thrilled that viewers responded to Bloodlands so positively and that we will be returning for a second season. I’m always happy to be back in Northern Ireland and to reveal even more about Tom Brannick.”

Brandon said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Tom Brannick’s story will continue with a new season of Bloodlands. It has been phenomenal to get such a positive response to James Nesbitt’s astounding performance, and the excellent work of his fellow cast and crew. What a privilege to begin another adventure with HTM Television and the BBC, in Northern Ireland—I can’t wait.”

Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: “It gives us a great sense of pride to see millions of viewers across the U.K. tune into a drama not just made, but set in Northern Ireland. We are delighted that Bloodlands has been renewed, I’m sure HTM Television, Chris Brandon and our incredibly talented local crew will deliver another fantastic season. We can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Brannick.”