ITV orders second season of Downton Abbey

 

ITV has ordered a second season of its hit new Sunday evening drama series Downton Abbey.

 

 

Downton Abbey - ITV

 

ITV has ordered a second season of its hit new Sunday evening drama series Downton Abbey. The Edwardian drama, set in a country house in 1912, has been created for the broadcaster by the Oscar winning Julian Fellowes – who penned Gosford Park. Downton Abbey has launched with 7.7 million viewers rising to 8.8 million viewers for its second episode. On Sunday evening the third episode of the drama dropped slightly to 8 million viewers but for an ITV drama that is still a huge figure.

412,000 people viewed on the ITV Player, which broke the record for single-episode viewing on ITV.com’s catch-up service. ITV’s Director of Drama Commissioning Laura Mackie said this morning:“We’re delighted with the audience response to Downton Abbey and the positive critical reaction.  We’re extremely proud to have commissioned a series which has clearly captivated ITV1 viewers.  Consequently, we’re thrilled to be announcing the recommission of a new series for 2011 which will allow us to spend more time with the Crawley family and their servants.”

Unsurprisingly therefore ITV have been quick to renew its new ratings winning drama. The series stars Penelope Wilton, Dan Stevens, Hugh Bonneville, Brendan Coyle, Elizabeth McGovern and Dame Maggie Smith. A new series of Downton Abbey will air on ITV1 in 2011.

Downton Abbey continues on Sunday at 9pm on ITV1.