BBC goes back to The Village

The BBC has greenlit a second series of The Village, its Peter Moffat drama about life in one English village throughout the 20th century.

The first season is still underway on BBC1 and has been recommissioned for another six episodes by controller Danny Cohen – soon to become the UK pubcaster’s overall TV chief – and controller of BBC drama commissioning Ben Stephenson.

Written by Moffat (Criminal Justice, Silk), the first instalment – ordered last year – kicked off in 1914. The second will be set in the roaring twenties and is due to hit British screens next year. It will again star Maxine Peake and John Simm, with newcomer Alfie Stewart also joining the cast.

“It’s the first chapter in a story that we hope will span a century, and we’re delighted that the BBC have shown such faith and commitment to Peter’s vision,” said John Yorke, MD of producer Company Pictures.