BBC commissions second series of The Fall starring Gillian Anderson

ACC Jim Burns (John Lynch), DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) and Crime Scene Manager Sheldon Scwartz (Michael Colgan) in The Fall (BBC)

The BBC has commissioned a second outing for its crime drama The Fall before the first series has even finished.

The show, starring X-Files actress Gillian Anderson as a detective hunting a serial killer in Belfast , has attracted audiences of more than three million.

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan, a former boyfriend of Keira Knightley, plays serial killer Paul Spector, in the show.

BBC drama controller Ben Stephenson said: "The Fall has proved both a critical and ratings hit for BBC2 and another reminder of the resurgence of drama on the channel. With more of Allan Cubitt's intricate and thrilling plot revelations yet to unfold through the captivating performances of Gillian and Jamie, a second series is a must.

"Obviously we can't give too much away as the first series builds to a gripping cliff-hanger but what we can say is it will be as surprising and intense as the first."

Cubitt, who has also written episodes of Murphy's Law and Prime Suspect, said the two main cast members "played their parts to perfection".

The final episode of the first series will be broadcast on BBC2 at 9pm on June 10.

PA