BBC has acquired the second series of the critically acclaimed female-led spy thriller Killing Eve. Series one made its debut on BBC One and as a boxset on BBC Three on BBC iPlayer last month and has become a massive hit with audiences – there have been over 26 million requests for the series so far.
The eight-part action thriller has also been hugely popular in attracting younger viewers, with over a third of those watching aged under 35.Emmy-nominated and Bafta-winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge adapted the first series of Killing Eve and will return for the new series in an executive producer role with writer-actor Emerald Fennell (Monsters, The Drifters) taking over as lead writer. Based on the Codename Villanelle novellas by Luke Jennings, Killing Eve is a Sid Gentle Films Ltd production for BBC America and was financed by and acquired from Endeavor Content.
Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy) and Jodie Comer (Doctor Foster) resume their cat-and-mouse game in the next series along with Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter) – and joining them are Nina Sosanya (Good Omens), Edward Bluemel (A Discovery Of Witches) and guest star Julian Barrett (Mindhorn).
The first series of Killing Eve was shot across Europe, with the second series currently shooting in locations including Amsterdam, London and Paris.
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, says: “A truly genre-busting series that’s had viewers hooked and craving more, thanks to the distinctive voice of Phoebe Waller Bridge brought to life by an incredible cast. We’re really excited to have it back on the BBC next year.”
Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, says: “The first series of Killing Eve has been a huge success for us on BBC Three. The writing is exceptional, the performances first-class and our young audiences have loved and binged right through it – we can’t wait to see what series two has in store.”
Sue Deeks, BBC Head of Programme Acquisition, says: “We are thrilled that Killing Eve will be returning for series two. The series has beguiled our viewers with its distinctive take on the spy drama and we cannot wait to see what Killing Eve’s brilliant team has in store for us next!”
Sally Woodward Gentle, CEO of Sid Gentle Films Ltd, adds: “We are thrilled by the audience reaction to series one and are so excited to be back on this adventure with Eve and Villanelle, alongside such an extraordinarily talented cast and creative team. With Emerald Fennell leading the writing team, series two is set to be just as wickedly addictive and naughty as the first.”
Killing Eve (8×45’) is produced by Sid Gentle Films Ltd for BBC America, financed and sold by Endeavor Content, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sally Woodward Gentle, Lee Morris, Gina Mingacci serving as executive producers alongside Sandra Oh as co-executive producer. Emerald Fennell is the new lead-writer and will also serve as executive producer. Damon Thomas is executive producer and returns as director along with two new female directors, Lisa Bruhlmann and Francesca Gregorini. Elinor Day will serve as series producer.
Killing Eve was commissioned in 2016 for BBC America by President and GM Sarah Barnett, and Nena Rodrigue, EVP of Original Programming, Acquisitions and Production.
Killing Eve is distributed by Endeavor Content.
The first series of Killing Eve is available as a boxset now on BBC iPlayer and is airing weekly on BBC One on Saturday nights.
Under 35’s figure is calculated from the age-profile of BBC accounts watching Killing Eve on BBC iPlayer. (BBC)
As for the future, BBC America has not set Killing Eve Season 2 as the last in the serial killer drama’s run, leaving a window open for a potential Season 3. Stay tuned…
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