Chernobyl named TV’s most addictive series in new study

Five-episode drama was released to rave reviews last year

A new study has named the 2019 historical drama Chernobyl as the most addictive TV series of all time.

The five-part miniseries – a co-production between HBO and Sky UK – retold the events of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.

Chernobyl boasted an ensemble cast which included Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson, Paul Ritter and Jessie Buckley.

A study conducted by Enders Analysis has named the top 20 TV shows that British viewers were most likely to watch from beginning to end.

After Chernobyl, the second most addictive series was found to be the Italian crime drama Gomorrah, followed by BBC One’s The Doctor Blake Mysteries in third.  Emmy-winning comedy-drama Succession and hit BBC thriller Bodyguard also cracked the top 10.

Jared Harris in ‘Chernobyl’, released in 2019 (HBO/Sky Atlantic)

The data factored in shows broadcast on linear UK television from 2018 to present, taking into account catch-up viewing within 28 days of the original broadcast. However, this does mean Netflix or Amazon series are omitted from the ranking. 

Here is the full ranking:

1. Chernobyl - Sky Atlantic

2. Gomorrah - Sky Atlantic

3. The Doctor Blake Mysteries - BBC One

4. Bodyguard - BBC One

5. Hawaii Five-0 - Sky One

6. Succession - Sky Atlantic

7. Bad Move - ITV

8. Quantico - Alibi

9. In My Skin - BBC Three

10. Fortitude - Sky Atlantic

11. This Country  -BBC Three

12. The Heart Guy - Drama

13. Billions - Sky Atlantic

14. Homeland - Channel 4

15. Line of Duty - BBC One

16. Doc Martin - ITV

17. The Blacklist - Sky One

18. The Capture - BBC One

19. Unforgotten  - ITV

20. London Kills - BBC One

Meanwhile, the study also named Karl Pilkington’s Sick of It as the TV series people were most likely to give up watching, followed by Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels on Sky Atlantic  and Sky One’s Warrior.