BBC returns to Bloodlands

James Nesbitt stars in Bloodlands

UK pubcaster the BBC has renewed crime drama Bloodlands for a second season after the Jed Mercurio series became its biggest drama launch on record in Northern Ireland.

Starring James Nesbitt (The Missing, Cold Feet), the show is described as “Irish noir” and is the first series from fledgling prodco Hat Trick Mercurio (HTM) Television.

Created by new writer Chris Brandon and executive produced by showrunner Mercurio (Line of Duty, Bodyguard), Bloodlands begins with an expensive car being pulled from the sea – containing a suicide note but no body – leading a detective to a cold case.

It is being shopped globally by Hat Trick International, which has sealed deal for the show with streamer Acorn TV in North America, plus a host of other international broadcasters.

The show launched with an average of 8.2 million viewers, making it the biggest new BBC drama launch since last June.

In Northern Ireland, the premiere episode had a 52% consolidated audience share, live and time-shifted viewing, a record for a BBC drama in Northern Ireland.

Filming on the second season will again take place Belfast and the surrounding areas, including Strangford Lough.

The renewal marks the latest commission to be announced as part of the BBC and Northern Ireland Screen partnership agreement. The partnership, which is soon to be renewed for its third term, continues to support the screen industry in Northern Ireland and help ensure that content filmed and set in Northern Ireland is brought to audiences across the UK and internationally.

Mercurio serves as an executive producer alongside Mark Redhead and Jimmy Mulville for HTM Television and Tommy Bulfin and Tom Lazenby for the BBC.

It was recommissioned by Piers Wenger, director of BBC drama, and Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer.