As the much-anticipated BBC Two adaptation of Wolf Hall premieres, About the BBC Blog Assistant Elizabeth Morton revisits some recent high-flying BBC dramas.
Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley
Hailed by critics as 'utterly compelling' (Daily Mail) and 'unmissable' (Guardian), the breakout drama of 2014 had to be Happy Valley, starring Sarah Lancashire. It proved so popular that it’s been recommissioned for a second series and topped a Radio Times poll for best police drama and show of 2014. The BBC One drama had a whopping 7.8 million viewers watch the final episode, with 8.1 million iPlayer requests. What’s more, BBC Worldwide has sold the series to the seven international broadcasters: Australia, Finland, France, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden.
James Nesbitt in The Missing
James Nesbitt led the cast of The Missing to brilliant reviews across the press like: ‘hauntingly brilliant television’ (Guardian) and ‘nailbiting’ (Telegraph). A human drama focusing on the lives of Tony and Emily Hughes after their son disappers, after the final episode 6.6 million viewers got a surprise in the shape of a preview of series two - confirming the show's recommission.
Gillian Anderson as DSI Stella Gibon and Jamie Dornan as Paul Spector in The Fall
The Fall starred former X-Filer Gillian Anderson and newcomer Jamie Dornan, and received international critical acclaim becoming BBC Two’s biggest drama series to launch in over 10 years. ‘Gripping, slow-burning, [and] brilliantly constructed’ as it was The Fall went on for a second series last year. Filmed and produced from BBC Northern Ireland, the first series secured an audience of 3.5 million viewers.
Maggie Gyllenhaal in award-winning The Honourable Woman
Another recent BBC success came with The Honourable Woman, starring Hollywood heavyweight Maggie Gyllenhaal, who picked up a Golden Globe for Best Actress. The series has also sold to France, Israel, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Spain, USA, South Africa and Australia.
Idris Elba as the enigmatic DCI Luther
Period drama RipperStreet started life on BBC One and is still seen in more than 150 territories and continues to provoke discussion.
Luther was sold to more than 200 countries, and its global appeal has seen a win for Idris Elba at the Golden Globes. “Beautifully shot [and] full of slick architectural vista” (The Telegraph), a new mini-series has been commissioned for 2015.
Sherlock stars Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Watson and Sherlock
No list of great BBC drama would be complete without Sherlock. Licensed to 224 regions between 2013 and 2014, more than any other programme, both Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman took home Emmys for their roles in the hit show which was sold to more broadcasters worldwide last year than any other BBC show – even more than DoctorWho.
The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and his assistant Clara (Jenna Coleman)
But Capaldi can’t complain… DoctorWho has been watched in more than 200 territories worldwide, and is the world’s longest running sci-fi programme according to the Guinness Book of Records (after starting life in 1963).
Then there’s those swashbuckling Musketeers who are now in 140 territories around the world proving a hit from the UK to South Africa.
Richard Lintern, Emilia Fox and David Caves in Silent Witness
Dame Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, Jim Carter, Philip Glenister and Imelda Staunton, made sure Cranford won big at the BAFTAs and Emmys as well as getting rave reviews ‘simply stunning performance[s]” (Guardian).
It’s hard to believe forensic drama SilentWitness is now in its nineteenth year (it was first broadcast in 1996). It’s had a few cast line-up changes from Amanda Burton in its early years to Emilia Fox, but as the Guardian says “There’s a reason it has survived into its 18th series: it is simply gloriously page-turning dark fun, and rather well acted too”.
Of course an exhaustive list is impossible, and taste comes into it, but other (older) members of the team have asked that I mention Pride and Prejudice (something about Colin Firth and a pond?), Bleak House,White Queen, Clocking Off, Tess, Life on Mars, I Claudius, Boys from the Blackstuff, Spooks, Line of Duty, The Hour, State of Play and HouseofCards (the BBC original from 1990). This blog’s caused much reminiscing in our office so feel free to add your favourites in the comments section below.
Elizabeth Morton is Assistant, About the BBC Blog
Wolf Hall starts tonight, Wednesday 21 January 2015, on BBC Two
