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BBC iPlayer most popular shows of 2018: From Bodyguard to Killing Eve

Bodyguard fans are already clamouring for a second season

Roisin O'Connor
Thursday 31 January 2019 06:52 EST
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Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh in 'Killing Eve'
Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh in 'Killing Eve' (BBC America)

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The most popular programmes on BBC iPlayer have been revealed.

It won't come as much of a surprise that Bodyguard was the most popular show of 2018. The first episode was its biggest ever programme, according to the BBC, with 10.8m requests across the year. All six episodes of the political drama starring Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes made the top 10 programmes of the year.

Killing Eve came a close second, with 9.2m requests, followed by the thriller McMafia.

The top 10 programmes (per series) in 2018 were:

  1. Bodyguard
  2. Killing Eve
  3. McMafia
  4. Doctor Who
  5. Keeping Faith
  6. The Cry
  7. Dynasties
  8. Our Girl 
  9. Bing
  10. Match of the Day (Quarter Final, Sweden v England)

The most popular episodes were:

  1. Bodyguard – Series 1, episode 1
  2. Killing Eve – Series 1, "Nice Face"
  3. Bodyguard – Series 1, episode 2
  4. Bodyguard – Series 1, episode 3
  5. Bodyguard – Series 1, episode 4
  6. Bodyguard – Series 1, episode 5
  7. Killing Eve – Series 1, "I'll Deal with Him Later"
  8. Killing Eve – Series 1, "Don't I Know You?"
  9. Bodyguard – Series 1, episode 6
  10. Killing Eve – Series 1, "Sorry Baby"

Richard Madden received a number of awards for his performance in Bodyguard, including a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama.

Following the show's success, the actor revealed in November that talks were in process with showrunner Jed Mercurio about a potential follow-up.

"We never intended to make another one and I don't know, I'm excited to see what he's got, especially because David (Budd, his character) had quite a busy couple of months.

"So what do we do with him next? He probably needs a break... but him, on the beach witha pina colada. I dno't think people are going to watch that as much. Less anxiety though. I would like less anxiety."

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