Whitechapel

Whitechapel is one of ITV’s best performing dramas of 2009 – drawing audiences of more than nine million viewers.  It’s no surprise therefore that it has been re-commissioned for a second series.   The cast led by Rupert Penry-Jones, Phil Davis and Steve Pemberton all spoke to Helen James Productions during filming of Whitechapel 1 for ITV regional news.

Word is that Whitechapel II promises to be just as atmospheric and brooding. It will once more boldly draw on an iconic cult crime born out of the area.  After Jack the Ripper came the gangster brutality of the Krays, and in Whitechapel II the paranoia of this era and the faded glamour of the former East End overlords will characterise the drama. It will be as sharp, intense and as visually distinctive as Whitechapel I with the gangster culture the Krays instilled never far away.  Produced by Carnival Films, the new story will broadcast as three episodes.

Penry-Jones, Davis and Pemberton all return to their characters of Chandler, Miles and Buchan with pathos and black humour remaining key to Whitechapel II.  Copycat murders, maiming and torture will trigger intense emotions and DI Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones) will be given an even greater run for his money than first time round.  This time it is personal.