Survivors gets second series on BBC

The BBC has commissioned a second six-part series of Adrian Hodges' post-apocalyptic drama Survivors before the first run has finished.

The first series has been a ratings success for the corporation, averaging 5.9 million viewers and a 23% audience share in its Tuesday 9pm timeslot.

Like the original 1970s version, scripted by Daleks creator Terry Nation, the Hodges series was set in the UK after a virus had wiped out at least 90% of the world's population. The original Survivors series first aired in 1975 and ran for 38 episodes over three series.

The final episode in the current series, which follows the disparate group of survivors trying to build a new life, screens on BBC1 on December 23rd at 9pm.

Hodges, who was also behind Primeval and Charles II, will return to executive produce the second series of six episodes next year.

The cast including Julie Graham, Max Beesley and Phillip Rhys will return, with "further casting to be announced next year" according to a BBC spokeswoman.

Survivors, made by BBC Drama Productions, was recommissioned by the BBC 1 controller, Jay Hunt, and the BBC drama commissioning controller, Ben Stephenson.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008.../survivors-bbc