BBC confuses fans after confirming returns for Vigil, Time, and The Tourist: ‘What’s she going to do – save another submarine?’
Posted by  badge Boss on Mar 22, 2022 - 01:38PM
Suranne Jones starred in Vigil, which broke viewing records in 2021 (Picture; BBC)
Suranne Jones starred in Vigil, which broke viewing records in 2021 (Picture; BBC)

The has announced the renewal of four of its biggest hitters in recent months, but not all fans are happy to see more from the dramas.

, The Tourist, The Responder and Time were some of the broadcaster’s biggest new shows of recent years, hitting the screens in late 2021 and early 2022.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed for a second season, after huge success the first time around. 

BBC’s Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore said: ‘I really think right now that the BBC is proving its worth. I think we did that during Covid. There are these moments when there is a real feeling that we’ve never needed a public service broadcaster more, to inform and educate and entertain and to bring the nation together.’

She went on to add: ‘In its first 30 days, 12 million people watched The Tourist – that’s twice as big as the largest [recent] show, Stay Close, on Netflix. 

‘The power that the BBC has to reach millions of people is far greater than we perhaps realise,’ she told .

martin freeman in the responder
The Responder was highly praised by fans (Picture: BBC/Dancing Ledge)

However, fans have been very split on the decision of the programmes’ renewals, with many feelingwould be better left as singular series. 

Reacting to the news on Twitter, those who tuned in to some of the offerings questioned why the BBC were making a second series of their favourite shows and urged them to ‘leave them alone.’

One wrote: ‘Time needs to be left alone. Why do we have this notion that more is better. Sometimes it’s just great as it is.

‘I absolutely loved #Time it was an outstanding series. But series 2??!! Why??? It doesn’t need it. It ended perfectly,’ argued another.

time bbc
Sean Bean and Stephen Graham starred opposite each other in Time (Picture: BBC)

Someone else shared: ‘Tourist and Time had beginnings middles…and AN END!!! Leave be. I’ll take more responder though. Vigil can be left in the ocean mind.’

Some also had doubts about a future for Vigil, with one writing: ‘But where can they go with Vigil?, with another adding: ‘Not sure I want more of The Tourist or Time, felt like they were one and done. Hopefully, the writers have the right story to tell.’

‘Season two of vigil?? what’s she gonna do, save ANOTHER submarine,’ joked a fan.

Some fans were keener on the news and looked forward to more, as one said: ‘Binged all four of these. Quality drama, loved it, can’t wait for more.’

 The Tourist - TX: n/a - Episode: Episode 1 (No. 1) - Picture Shows: The Man (JAMIE DORNAN) - (C) Two Brothers Pictures - Photographer: Ian Routledge
Jamie Dornan was keen for more of The Tourist (Picture: BBC/Two Brothers Pictures/Ian Routledge)

‘I’m not sure any of these need a second series but they’re all very good so who cares,’ added another.

Someone else wrote: ‘Oh wow. Huge news. Was not expecting a second season for Time – thought it was a one and done thing. But not complaining about all of these!’

It comes after Jamie Dornan previously expressed enthusiasm for season 2 of The Tourist, despite only ‘signing up for one.’

The actor recalls a similar scenario with his previous crime series The Fall, which he starred in alongside Gillian Anderson, which was originally also intended for just the one run. 

‘There was big demand for The Fall, obviously, and we did a couple more [seasons]. In the UK and Ireland and Australia, and anywhere it’s been so far, people seem to love The Tourist, so who knows? 

‘I know conversations are being had. So we’ll see what we get to, but I would love to,’ he said to .

It’s not yet known when the four series are expected to return, but it seems likely they’ll be back on the BBC in 2023. 

Vigil, Time, The Responder and The Tourist can all be streamed on BBC iPlayer in full now.