Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio reveals he’s ‘in talks’ with the BBC for a second series… after admitting he’s ‘surprised’ by the show’s success

Jed Mercurio has revealed he’s ‘in talks’ with the BBC to write a second series of Bodyguard.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the Banff World Media Festival, the acclaimed writer, 53, said another instalment of the drama is yet to be officially green-lit.

Bodyguard broke ratings records when it debuted on the BBC last year, and became the most-watched drama of 2018 with 17.1 millions viewers tuning into the finale.

Jed said: ‘We’re in talks. We’re going through the logistics of it. There’s no real update now.’

The Line Of Duty creator went onto reveal he was surprised by the show’s success, as it earned praise from critics and record-breaking viewing figures.

‘I know there’s an adage that your failure should be surprising. But the level of success was surprising.’

The news comes after fans demand to know whether Bodyguard will return for a second series, with many claiming that Home Secretary Julia Montague (played by Keeley Hawes) was still alive.

The show told the tale of politician Montague and PS David Budd (Richard Madden) under the veil of a mysterious terrorist threat.

Bodyguard appeared to come to a natural end last year, with Budd identifying the figure at the head of the terrorist operation.

It comes after Richard also revealed he watched some of the show’s steamy sex scenes with his mum Pat.

Speaking in The Hollywood Reporter’s Drama Actor Roundtable, the actor, 32, said: ‘A sex scene with Mum watching is never great fun. I usually [try to prepare her], but sometimes you forget. And then it’s tea spat out or “Cover your eyes!” And you’re like, ”Well I’ve seen it, I was in it.”’

The Cinderella star also spoke about the mental struggles he faced after filming for Bodyguard wrapped, admitting the isolation he underwent to embody the role took its toll.

‘You spend so much time in someone else’s clothes, saying someone else’s words, thinking someone else’s thoughts, that you lose a bit of yourself. And I’m not a method actor in any way, but you get a huge hangover.

‘And at the end of that, I felt broken, much like the character was. Physically and mentally exhausted. I know we’re not curing cancer, but you’re giving everything you’ve got.’

Article source: Daily Mail, by LAURA FOX FOR MAILONLINE