BBC Renews Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise

Call The MidwifeBBC One has ordered third series of its popular drama’s Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise.

Both shows will return to the channel for third outings next year. The renewals come as both continue to perform strongly and win their respective time slots.

Death in Paradise has proven to be a hit on Tuesday evenings; the Ben Miller drama series returned in January with its best ever ratings and subsequent episodes have continually topped 6 million viewers. The BBC has ordered a further eight episodes for next year.

Meanwhile Call the Midwife has once again pulled in big audiences on Sunday evenings. The 1950s based drama has averaged over 8 million viewers in overnight figures and the BBC reports it has consolidated figures of over 10 million viewers. The period drama is written by Heidi Thomas and based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. Eight more episodes will air in 2014.

The BBC has also confirmed a further Christmas Special of Call the Midwife following a successful festive outing in 2012.