Ripper Street Returning To BBC One

Gritty period drama Ripper Street, starring Matthew MacFadyen and Adam Rothenberg, has been re-commissioned for a second series.

The BBC has ordered a second series of the Sunday evening detective drama which launched at Christmas to over 7 million viewers. Although ratings have trailed off since, at least according to overnight figures, Ripper Street is still pulling in more than 5 million viewers each Sunday. It has been boosted in the two past two weeks thanks to a strong lead-in from Call the Midwife.

“Quality and ambition run through Ripper Street, from Richard Warlow’s original scripts, the incredible cast and the captivating direction, All combine to create a period series with a modern and gripping edge that will return for a second series in 2014.” – Ben Stephenson

The drama is set in the East End of London in the late 19th Century; the aftermath of the Jack the Ripper murders. The opening episode dealt with the hysteria surrounding the Ripper murders. Its dark nature has prompted some complaints to the BBC but lead star Matthew MacFadyen has defended the series.

Starring alongside MacFadyen and Rothenberg in the drama is MyAnna Buring, Jerome Flynn, Amanda Hale, Charlene McKenna, David Dawson and  David Wilmot. Ripper Street is airs on BBC America in the states and is part of the broadcasters drive to air more original content. It has so far proven to be a hit for viewers in America and is the station’s most popular drama series after Doctor Who.