BBC’s Vigil is named the most viewed new drama in three years after drawing 13.4million viewers in its first episode
Vigil has been named the most viewed new drama in three years.
The BBC announced the hard-hitting show starring Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva and Martin Compston as Chief Petty Officer Craig Burke, drew an audience of 13.4 million for its first episode.
The series has biggest viewing figures since 2018’s Bodyguard which had 11 million viewers tune into the finale.
Top of the class: Vigil has been named the most-viewed new drama in three years (pictured Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva)
Vigil narrowly missed out on being named the most-watched drama of 2021, behind season six of Line of Duty, in which Martin starred as Detective Inspector Steve Arnott, which drew in 12.8million viewers for the series finale.
BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore said: ‘Vigil kept viewers hooked as Suranne Jones took them on a thrilling journey like no other.
‘The series’ incredible success is testament to the power of the writing and a brilliant cast and crew.’
Impressive: The BBC announced the hard-hitting show drew an audience of 13.4 million for its first episode (pictured evil CPO Matthew Doward (Lorne MacFadyen)
Simon Heath and Jake Lushington, executive producers for World Productions, makers of Vigil, added: ‘A very big thanks to everyone who tuned in and stayed for the six weeks of Vigil’s thrilling voyage through the Atlantic.
The show was brought to the screen by a terrific team in Scotland and these huge figures are the result of their brilliant work.’
The drama followed DCI Silva get sent to HMS Vigil, a Vanguard class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, to investigate a death on board, which takes place shortly after the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler.
Gripping: The series has biggest viewing figures since 2018’s Bodyguard which had 11 million viewers tune into the finale (pictured Richard Madden)
Her investigations, and those of her colleagues ashore, bring the police into conflict with the Royal Navy and MI5, the British Security Service.
In the finale, DCI Silva found herself in a perilous scenario as she was trapped in a torpedo tube, with the water rising, while the identity of Craig Burke’s killer was finally revealed as the evil CPO Matthew Doward (Lorne MacFadyen).
The BBC are reportedly already in talks for a second season of Vigil.
Murder mystery: The drama followed DCI Silva get sent to HMS Vigil, a Vanguard class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, to investigate a death on board
Drama! In the finale, DCI Silva found herself in a perilous scenario as she was trapped in a torpedo tube, with the water rising
A source said recently: ‘The Beeb knew they had a hit on their hands.
‘So they’ve been in discussion for some time with its creators, World Productions, about a potential follow-up.
‘Now those plans are likely to progress at speed, with a view to Vigil II being commissioned.’
The insider added: ‘It remains to be seen whether Suranne will return, as Vigil’s makers aren’t afraid to kill off a central character.’
Series two? The BBC are reportedly already in talks for a second season of Vigil