★★★★★ 0/5

Bodyguard breaks UK records

UK thriller is now the biggest episode of any programme ever on BBC iPlayer and the biggest BBC drama since 2008.

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UK thriller Bodyguard has broken BBC iPlayer records with episode one being the biggest episode of any programme ever on iPlayer with 7.3m views.

The series written and created by Jed Mercurio concluded with an average of 10.4m viewers, becoming the #1 non-World Cup programme of the year across all channels.

It is also the biggest drama across all channels since 2011, and the biggest BBC drama since 2008.

Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content says: “The finale of Bodyguard gripped the nation and has got everyone talking with a staggering peak audience of 11m on BBC One in a display of masterful storytelling from Jed Mercurio; while episode one is already the biggest ever episode on iPlayer and still growing.”

Jed Mercurio says: “I’m completely stunned by the exceptional response to Bodyguard which reflects the star quality of our brilliant cast led by Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes and our outstanding crew led by producers Priscilla Parish and Eric Coulter and directors Thomas Vincent and John Strickland.”

The series is due to screen in Australia on Netflix on October 24.

5 Responses

  1. It just goes to show that the lack of programming intuition within the TV industry especially FTA has missed out on a chance to exploit all the hype,if anything it would have been interesting to see if the there still is an appetite for drama on Australian TV. My sceptical self feels that the bland mindset created by reality TV would make it hard to entice jaded viewers even to watch it on the ad free ABC. Now it’s all over and done with in Britain the actual attraction of the show has been depreciated but it’s still worth watching all the same, especially if you enjoyed Line of Duty.

  2. Agree, excellent series, but no it has not been renewed for a series 2(yet). Jed Mercurio, the creator of the series has said he has some ideas but has heard nothing from the “higher ups” at the BBC.

  3. A great pity that a success on this scale isn’t being fast tracked to a prominent free to air slot.
    Of course the Netflix funds injection means they get international distribution rights but it seems very limiting as ISPs in Australia continue to reduce both speeds and download limits on even the most expensive plans.

  4. It’s really good and has been renewed for season 2 by the BBC/Netflix.

    PS. The BBC has 1st broadcast rights and Netflix has international rights, excluding the UK, Ireland and China.

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