Based on the ratings we expecting to hear imminently that Ripper Street Series 2 will be commissioned by the BBC for another eight episodes. It premiered to 7.9 million viewers and a 26.1% share, to rank within BBC One's top ten highest rated drama programmes in 2012 and outperformed the channel's slot and prime time average share.

The debut easily won its time slot against all competition, with 1.6 million viewers more than its nearest rival ITV1.

Expect returning characters with more of the same rich storylines that meld with the intrigue of a criminal underworld festering on the hard streets of Victorian London, following the battle of the men whose job it is to bring the law to the lawless...