BBC1 unveils plans for new run of The Paradise

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Bill Gallagher’s BBC1 series The Paradise will return for a second series of eight episodes next year. Made in-house by BBC Drama, the department store period drama has done well in its first run, with an average audience of 5.9m (22.5% share).

Announcing the recommission, Danny Cohen, Controller of BBC1, said: “The Paradise has been the biggest new drama series on British TV so far this Autumn, and it has been really interesting to experiment with period drama on BBC1 beyond the traditional Sunday night slot. I’m delighted that the show will be returning for a second series, and can assure its loyal following that there are dramatic twists to come in the episodes still to air this Autumn."

The series, adapted from a French novel by Emile Zola, follows smart and ambitious Denise Lovett who arrives in the city to find work. The store provides the catalyst for her rags-to-riches story as she falls in love with the exhilarating and dangerous charms of the modern world and her eyes are opened to new possibilities. The cast includes: Sarah Lancashire, Emun Elliott, David Hayman, Elaine Cassidy, Matthew McNulty and Patrick Malahide.

Bill Gallagher, writer and creator, added: “I'm very grateful that there's such a strong audience for The Paradise, and for the terrific support the BBC has given to the show to make that possible. It's such a great ensemble of actors and such a rich group of characters that it's an exciting prospect to have eight more episodes to make.”

The executive producer of The Paradise for the BBC is Susan Hogg and the producer is Simon Lewis. The series was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning and Cohen.