HolbyBlue set for series two

Police drama HolbyBlue has proved such a hit with viewers that it has been recommissioned by BBC1 for a second series to be broadcast next year.

The current series - starring Cal Macaninch, Kacey Ainsworth and Zoe Lucker - reaches its thrilling climax on BBC1 on June 26, and writer Tony Jordan and his team have already begun working on storylines for the second series, which has been extended from eight episodes to 12.

Cal, Kacey and Zoe will all return for the second series, it has been confirmed.

Tony said: "Our aim with HolbyBlue was to create a new breed of 8pm drama that pushes the boundaries of pre-watershed programming. I hope we have gone some way to redefining expectations of what this kind of drama should be."

He added: The vote of confidence that the BBC has given us in commissioning extra episodes is a huge boost for both Holby Blue and Red Planet Pictures.”

Karen Wilson, executive producer, said: "We are so pleased that audiences have really taken to DI Keenan and the team at Holby South police station.

"We are already planning what's next for them and we have an extra four episodes to play with which is brilliant news!”

Series two of HolbyBlue will start filming in Surrey later this year and transmit on BBC1 in 2008.