BBC are renewing four of its big dramas which debuted over the last year. The Tourist, The Responder, Vigil and Time are welcoming a second season after their debut successes.
The Tourist starring Jamie Dornan became one of the highest drama ratings of 2022 so far. This was followed by crime thriller The Responder.
Series one of all four dramas are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer and further information about each series will be revealed soon. Here’s everything you need to know about the four BBC shows getting a renewal.
The BBC dramas renewed for second season
The Tourist
The Tourist is returning for a second series. The show is the highest-rating drama of 2022 so far, 12 million viewers tuned in when it was first launched. All six episodes were the most-watched episodes on BBC iPlayer in January of this year.
The first series is about a man who wakes up in the Australian Outback with no recollection of who he is. He attempts to piece together his memory but merciless figures from his past continue to pursue him.
The Responder
The Responder wasn’t far off The Tourist’s views, the series launched with nearly 10 million viewers across 30-days. The Responder is written by ex-police officer Tony Schumacher and follows urgent response officer Chris Carson (Martin Freeman) as he is tasked with working a series of night shifts on his beat in Liverpool. On top of his challenging role, he struggles to keep a grip on his mental health.
Vigil
Last year Vigil attracted an audience of over 13 million viewers across 30-days for episode one. It became the UK’s most-watched new drama launch in three years. The series returns for a second series and will be filmed in Scotland like the first series.
Vigil follows a murder investigation on the Trident nuclear submarine HMS Vigil. The Vigil must remain on patrol in order to maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent, so Detective Amy Silva is forced to join the crew onboard to conduct her investigation.
Meanwhile, Detective Kirsten Longacre follows leads back on land. As the two pursue parallel trails, the case grows more sinister and broadens to include the highest levels of government and the British Navy.
Time
Filmed in Liverpool like The Responder, Time became 2021’s highest performing new drama with nearly 12 million viewers over 30-days for the series overall. The second series will feature a brand new cast.
Starring Stephen Graham and Sean Bean, the first series follows Mark Cobden, a husband, teacher and father who is sentenced to four years in prison after accidentally killing a man. The series also follows prison officer Eric McNally, who endeavours to protect those in his care, but finds that his job can be demanding in a tense and understaffed environment.
Both Mark and Eric are faced with difficult choices as they fight for survival. The second series will be set in an all-female prison.
