The BBC have revealed which dramas will be making their way back to our screens. Alongside the likes of continuing shows, such as Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise, there are several programmes that are making a shock comeback.
In recent years, the BBC have proved that they are dedicated to making high quality dramas. This has never been more present than the latest series of Happy Valley, which saw 7.5 million people flock to their TV screens during its finale.
This list will look at some of the returning shows. There are a few surprises here, so make sure you take note of all your favourites and date them in your calendars.
Read more: Is Death in Paradise coming back? New series and specials announced
The Night Manager
First up, a real shocker as The Night Manager will finally be returning for a second series. The Tom Hiddleston-led show, which was based on a novel of the same name by the late John le Carre, garnered huge praise when it first aired in 2016.
The new series will see Hiddleston return as Jonathan Pine, the titular ‘night manager’ and a former British soldier. Deadline understands that series two is set to film later this year in London and South America.
David Farr, who wrote the original, is back to write the follow-up. The original’s director, Suzanne Bier, is also rumoured to be making a comeback.
The Responder
Starring Martin Freeman as police officer Chris Carson, The Responder was well received following its first series last year. The series saw troubled copper Carson battling to hold his life together after getting tangled up in the city's criminal underworld.
On returning for more episodes of The Responder, Freeman previously said: "Chris is a character I'd like to return to because I'm a sucker for good scripts. I'll walk anywhere for a good script and we had a great team on this. I love the team, it's beautifully produced and so yeah I would hope to do it again!"
The Responder was such a hit that its first episode pulled in an audience of 7.6 million viewers. The BBC, naturally, quickly recommissioned it for a second series.
Vigil
The plot of the first series of Vigil seemed to have been wrapped up just before the final episode’s end credits rolled. The six-parter was set on a fictional ballistic missile submarine of the Royal Navy.
The BBC series was such a hit that it quickly became the network’s most-watched new drama launch since 2018's Bodyguard. Attracting an audience of over 13 million viewers across 30 days for episode one, the series overall had an average of 12.6m viewers.
Little is currently known about the plot of the second series. Lead star Suranne Jones, who played DCI Amy Silva, is expected to return alongside the character’s lover DS Kirsten Longacre, played by Game of Thrones’ Rose Leslie.
Production on series two is expected to return to Scotland. Writer Tom Edge has also hinted that the new series will not be set on a submarine. "We have probably told as many of the stories as we would wish to tell on a submarine," he told RadioTimes.com last year.
The Tourist
Details have started to emerge about the second series of The Tourist. Filming on the new series is expected to begin in April.
While the first series took place in Australia, it has been confirmed that production will move to Ireland for series two - the home of lead star Jamie Dornan. The actor, himself, will be returning to his role of the mysterious Elliot, who was a man who woke up not knowing who he was in the first six episodes.
Co-star Danielle Macdonald will also return as Elliot's newfound friend Helen while they travel to Ireland to rediscover his family history. Elliot has hopes that looking into his roots will jog his memory, but before long, he's forced to face his demons and dangerous forces from his past.
"I’m incredibly excited to continue the story with The Tourist," Dornan said of the new series. "Harry and Jack Williams are brilliant writers, and I can’t wait for audiences to see how well Ireland and its characters are utilised to keep them guessing as the tale progresses…"
Boiling Point
Interesting one now as this series didn’t even start its life as such. The BBC have commissioned a sequel-series to the 2021 Netflix film, Boiling Point. The series will reunite the film’s co-writer and director Philip Barantini, who will helm the first two episodes, and co-writer James Cummings alongside producers Hester Ruoff and Bart Ruspoli.
Picking up six months on from where the film left off, Boiling Point will see Sous Chef Carly (Vinette Robinson) as Head Chef at her own restaurant, with many of the film’s original cast reprising their roles alongside her – including Stephen Graham as Andy and Hannah Walters as Emily.
When it was first released as a film in 2021, Boiling Point was met with huge critical acclaim and was nominated worldwide for over 20 awards in multiple categories, including four BAFTA nominations and 11 BIFA nominations, delivering four BIFA wins, two National Film Awards and four Taormina Film Festival Awards.
Time
It seems that Stephen Graham is somewhat of a lucky charm when it comes to returning dramas. The Line of Duty actor's 2021 prison drama, Time, has been recommissioned for a second outing.
An all-female prison will be at the centre of the action for Time’s second season. The first series followed a man who was arrested for drink-driving (Sean Bean) and a prison officer with an incredibly tough choice to make (Stephen Graham), and had nearly 12 million viewers over 30 days.
Sherwood
Filming will soon begin on the second series of Sherwood. The series was written by acclaimed British playwright, James Graham.
Sherwood launched to over 6 million viewers on the BBC (seven-day consolidated). The first series followed a tense and heart-wrenching investigation into two shocking and unexpected killings which shattered an already fractured community.
Ahead of the new series, writer James said: “I’ve been so deeply moved by the response to Sherwood. These stories come from my home, and I want to specifically express gratitude to my community for whom I know these subjects can be difficult, but – I hope – important ones to explore.” For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
ITV1 Unforgotten viewers react to 'bold' move as series returns without Nicola Walker
Unforgotten viewers disagree over ITV's decision as series 5 launches
Eamonn Holmes talks putting personal and work life on hold as thanks to shingles
Sex Actually host Alice Levine meets man 'married' to a sex doll and is left heartbroken
EastEnders boss teases return for iconic noughties character
