BBC’s Vigil is the UK’s most watched new drama in three years

Vigil is UK television’s most watched new drama launch in three years, 30-day viewing data has revealed

"Vigil kept viewers hooked as Suranne Jones took them on a thrilling journey like no other. The series’ incredible success is testament to the power of the writing and a brilliant cast and crew.” — Charlotte Moore

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The six-part submarine thriller’s first episode - made for the BBC by World Productions - attracted an audience of 13.4 million viewers, making it the highest rated new drama launch across all UK channels since Bodyguard back in 2018.

Vigil has been a hit with viewers and critics alike, and grew its audience across the series on both overnight and 7-day consolidated viewing data.

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, says: “Vigil kept viewers hooked as Suranne Jones took them on a thrilling journey like no other. The series’ incredible success is testament to the power of the writing and a brilliant cast and crew.”

Simon Heath and Jake Lushington, executive producers for World Productions, say: “A very big thanks to everyone who tuned in and stayed for the six weeks of Vigil’s thrilling voyage through the Atlantic. The show was brought to the screen by a terrific team in Scotland and these huge figures are the result of their brilliant work.”

Vigil starred Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans, Paterson Joseph and Martin Compston.

The series was made by World Productions (Showtrial, Line Of Duty, Bodyguard) for the BBC, and commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer. It was written and created by writer Tom Edge, with episodes by Ed Macdonald and Chandni Lakhani, and based on an original idea by George Aza-Selinger. Vigil was directed by James Strong and Isabelle Sieb, produced by Angie Daniell, and its executive producers are Simon Heath and Jake Lushington for World Productions, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, James Strong and Tom Edge.

Vigil is set and was filmed in Scotland, and supported by the National Lottery through Screen Scotland. International distribution is handled by ITV Studios.

The series is available in full on BBC iPlayer.

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Notes to editors:

Vigil is UK television’s biggest new drama since 2018, and the second most-watched drama of the year so far behind the sixth series of Line of Duty.

Further 30-day viewing data for Vigil will be available over the coming month.

Full 7-day viewing data (BBC all-screens) for Vigil:

Episode one - 10.2 million
Episode two – 9.0 million
Episode three - 9.7 million
Episode four - 9.5 million
Episode five - 10.2 million
Episode six - 10.9 million

Vigil episode one is the highest rated new drama launch across all UK channels since Bodyguard (2018), based on BARB 28-day consolidated data.

Critical praise for Vigil:

“British TV doesn’t get more thrilling than this.” ★★★★★ – Empire

“If you're longing for a new TV fix packed with twists, compelling characters and plenty of action, look no further than the Beeb's latest thriller Vigil… Very few dramas pull off a blend of action, mystery and romance to this calibre.” – The Sun

“A dense, sharply written, absolute treat of a show.” ★★★★★ - The Guardian

“A top twist on the Trid-ent tested murder mystery” – Den Of Geek

“There’s nothing predictable about this classy, claustrophobic thriller.” – The i

“A superb thriller” – Radio Times

“The always-engrossing BBC thriller more than delivered in its final chapter.” - Stylist

Source BBC One

October 5, 2021 7:46am ET by BBC One  

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