ITV has announced crime drama Whitechapel which stars Rupert Penry-Jones and Phil Davis as detectives solving crimes inspired by legends of the East End, will return for a new run next year after two successful series drew audiences of up to 8.1 million.
Also returning for the new six-part run next year is Steve Pemberton who plays East End historian and would-be amateur detective Edward Buchan.
The first aired in 2009 with a three-part story which saw DI Chandler (Penry-Jones) hunting a copycat killer following in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper. A second run, which aired last year, saw the detectives trying to uncover the truth behind two modern-day Kray twins.
This time round the team will confront murder in the tunnels under Whitechapel, body-snatching, poisoning and grisly discoveries as the history of the East End once again provides fertile ground for modern day villains.
The new run will comprise of three two-part stories taking Chandler and his team beyond the boundaries of Whitechapel and into some of the East End’s most gruesome history.
Executive Producer, Sally Woodward Gentle says: “I am delighted we are getting the chance to tell brand new Whitechapel stories but this time as a series. The East End of London is steeped in history, secrets and gore and we now have the opportunity to take Chandler, Miles and Buchan to places darker still. If you thought the Ripper and Krays were scary, just wait.”
The new run has been commissioned by Laura Mackie, ITV’s Director of Drama, who said: “Whitechapel is a striking and distinctive crime drama that has struck a real chord with the ITV1 audience. The longer run will allow us to tell an even richer range of stories from the Whitechapel area.”