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Bodyguard is biggest new UK drama in a decade

UK thriller starring Keeley Hawes is the hot new drama breaking British records.

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UK thriller Bodyguard starring Keeley Hawes has become the biggest new drama on British television in a decade.

The series by Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty) tells the story of a heroic but volatile war veteran (Richard Madden) assigned to protect the Home Secretary (Hawes) whose politics run contrary to his own. Responsible for her safety, is he actually her biggest threat?

It has received a consolidated figure of 10.4 million UK viewers, the highest launch figure for any new drama across all UK channels since 2006. That was an increase of 3.6m on its overnight audience (6.8m), an impressive uplift of 54%.

Bodyguard is also the number one drama of 2018 so far including as the biggest non-soap drama of the year for 16-34 year olds.

On BBC iPlayer, Bodyguard has broken drama debut records – with episode one getting 2.2million requests in its first seven days.

“The success of Bodyguard is a tribute to the magnetism of our two leads, Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes. I’m exceedingly grateful to World Productions and to the BBC who have supported the project throughout production, and to the viewers who’ve responded with such enthusiasm,” says Mercurio.

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, says: “I’m thrilled with the response to BBC One’s new Sunday night drama Bodyguard, the figures are extraordinary and all credit to the mastermind creator and writer Jed Mercurio who is surprising the audience at every turn.”

It is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market, but is likely to head to BBC First.

18 Responses

  2. I have to admit, I’ve been a fan of Jed Mercurio’s for quite a while now, so much so that Line of Duty was the catalyst for me to return to screenwriting semi-professionally after a few years away. I was completely blown away by how well-acted, well-produced and ultimately how well-written it is. If you’ve not seen it … I think it’s currently on Gem [again] late-ish not sure what day of the week … [to borrow a phrase] Do yourself a favour.

    Haven’t seen this yet, but I’m off to London before the series finishes, so I’ll binge it while I’m there, but it’s one of the few highlights of the BBC’s Upfronts last year that made me go “Ooooh!”

    Also: [small LoD spoiler] This marks 3 seasons of Jed Mercurio and Keeley Hawes teaming up. She’s becoming quite the muse.

  4. I just wish someone would buy the rights for this in Australia and put it on television the time delay on getting good programmes to air is just too long…… it is not as if we have so much to watch every night!

    1. A show airing on Foxtel… Snowfall… is very delayed in Australia… same with another BBC show on First- real shame there is a delay in broadcast… they own the show but wait to air it?

  5. I’m a big Keeley Hawes fan so that’s one bonus for me, Bodyguard looks to be a well produced show with the tension expertly built in, I’m not surprised it has had good UK viewer numbers. I think season 2 is a certainty but as much as I would like further episodes made I must question if a limited season show can always benefit from stretching out a limited story line were most of the original dramatic impact is inevitably used up, ‘The Fall’ is a good example of that.

  6. BBC First is a repeat after repeat channel available to only a few Aussies…It is not needed just put these shows on the ABC on channel 22 in HD the next day.

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