Episode one of The Salisbury Poisonings has received a 7 day consolidated figure of 10.0 million viewers (43.7% share), making it the biggest new drama across all channels since 2018. All-screen +7days data also reveals the episode has attracted 10.3 million viewers to date.
The BBC One drama, written by Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, and produced by Dancing Ledge Productions, focuses on the impact the 2018 Novichok poisonings had on the local community. It tells the remarkable story of how ordinary people and public services reacted to a crisis on their doorstep, displaying extraordinary heroism as their city became the focus of an unprecedented national emergency.
The three part drama which is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer has averaged a 7 day consolidated figure of 9.1 million viewers and averaged an all-screen +7day figure of 9.6 million. The drama has also attracted around 1 million 16-34 year olds for each episode so far (according to 7 day consolidated data).
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, said: “We are delighted The Salisbury Poisonings had such an impact and resonated with the nation. We are incredibly proud to have celebrated members of a city whose bravery and resilience kept safe an entire community, and can’t thank Adam, Declan and the production team enough for their meticulous efforts in bringing their story to screen.”
Laurence Bowen, Dancing Ledge Productions CEO, says: “We’re thrilled The Salisbury Poisonings has had such a positive response. It was a privilege to be able to tell the extraordinary real life stories that lie at the heart of the drama and wonderful they have resonated in the way they have.”
The Salisbury Poisonings is written by Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn and produced by Dancing Ledge Productions for the BBC. It is directed by Saul Dibb and produced by Karen Lewis. The Executive Producers are Chris Carey and Laurence Bowen for Dancing Ledge Productions, Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, and Lucy Richer for the BBC.
Dancing Ledge Productions works internationally with Fremantle, which has a minority stake in the company, with Fremantle handling global distribution for the drama series.