Downton Abbey launches to over 7 million viewers

The launch of ITV’s lavish new period drama, Downton Abbey, had over 7 million viewers according to overnight ratings. 

 

Downton Abbey, ITV’s lavish new period drama from the Oscar winning writer Julian Fellowes, launched with over 7 million viewers according to overnight ratings information for Sunday. The Edwardian drama has an all-star cast with Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville leading and had 7.4 million viewers at 9pm. The drama undoubtedly benefited airing straight after The X Factor – a strong launch pad for the drama. 

Elsewhere the start of a new series of Inspector George Gently on BBC One had 5.2 million viewers at 8.30. The Martin Shaw drama returned for a new season set in the 1960s. The ratings for last nights episode is only slightly down on its average of 5.3 million viewers for last years series.

A full round-up for Sunday will follow later.