BBC Two orders third series of The Fall

The Fall, created, written and directed by Allan Cubitt, and produced by Fables in association with Artist Studio for BBC Two, has been commissioned for a third series by Kim Shillinglaw, Controller BBC Two and Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning.

Following the gripping cliff-hanger of series two, stellar and award-winning lead cast Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan will return as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson and serial killer Paul Spector.

The popular psychological thriller will continue the story following the critical and ratings success of season two, which gained a series average of 3.3 million viewers and 12.5 percent share of the audience, making it one of BBC Two's highest performing dramas of 2014. The season finale was watched by 3.6 million consolidated viewers with a 12.7 percent share.

Writer and director Allan Cubitt says: "We'd like to thank the BBC, Kim Shillinglaw, Ben Stephenson and Stephen Wright for showing such confidence in the drama we have created with Artists Studio. The cliffhanger ending of season two was conceived in the hope of further exploring the characters and the themes that are at the heart of The Fall. We're grateful to be given this opportunity by the BBC."

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama, says: "The story is far from over. Allan has known the end game from the beginning - the cat and mouse game between Gillian and Jamie has one last act to play out. Who will win?"

The 5x60 series will return to Belfast as the complex relationship between Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson and Paul Spector intensifies and the story of the investigation into the murders becomes more complex and intricate.

Kim Shillinglaw, Controller BBC Two adds: "I want programme makers to come to BBC Two to do their most distinctive and signature work and I'm therefore delighted that Allan Cubitt and the team are bringing The Fall back for a third series, demonstrating once again the continued strength of drama on the channel."

Gub Neal, Producer, Artists Studio, says: "It's thrilling to be continuing the story between Stella Gibson and Paul Spector. A third season gives Allan Cubitt and Artists Studio a chance to pursue the investigation in a way that few crime dramas ever do and complete a cycle of events which will have held audiences for over three years."

The Fall is produced by Gub Neal for Artists Studio, part of Endemol Shine Group. The Executive Producers are Allan Cubitt, Justin Thomson-Glover, Patrick Irwin and Gillian Anderson.

The series was commissioned by Kim Shillinglaw, Controller, BBC Two and Ben Stephenson, Controller of Drama Commissioning, and is executive produced by Stephen Wright through BBC Northern Ireland.

Distributed by Endemol Shine International, The Fall has sold to 200 countries including Netflix in the US, BBC First Australia, Bravo Canada, DirecTV Latin America, Globosat Brazil, RTE Ireland, Fox International Channels across Asia as well as a multi-territory deal with ZDF Enterprises Germany.