Record numbers catch up as Kiri becomes Channel 4’s most-watched drama
David Farnor | On 13, Feb 2018
Kiri is now Channel 4’s most-watched drama of all time, after record numbers of people raced to catch up.
Consolidated viewing figures released today – taking account of timeshifted viewing on a television over a seven day period – show that Channel 4’s drama Kiri was watched by an average of nearly five million viewers – the largest for a Channel 4 drama since modern records began.
The series, which stars Sarah Lancashire, examines the abduction of the eponymous young black girl, who is soon to be adopted by her white foster family. Lancashire plays Miriam, an experienced, no-nonsense social worker who arranges for Kiri to have an unsupervised visit with her biological grandparents. But when Kiri disappears during the visit the finger of blame from the police, press and even her colleagues point firmly at Miriam.
The show was watched by an average of 4.9m viewers. Taking into account timeshifted viewing, it had an audience share of 18.7% up 2.1m on the average number of viewers who watched Kiri go out live. It is also the biggest ever drama series on All 4, achieving more than half a million views per episode.
Made by independent production company The Forge and written by BAFTA-winner Jack Thorne (National Treasure), the drama’s record viewing figures beat the previous record held by Humans, which was watched by an average consolidated audience of 4.7m.
Channel 4’s Head of Drama, Beth Willis, says: “Dramas like Kiri – British, topical, complex and illuminating – are exactly the kind of dramas we want to make at Channel 4 and we are thrilled that they’re able to find such a huge and engaged audience. We are honoured that the brilliant Jack Thorne, The Forge and the astonishing cast felt that Channel 4 was the right home for this thoughtful and gripping drama.”
“Jack Thorne twists the tension and teases out new complexities with a flawless sense of character, subtlety and pace. Get ready for a gripping four-part box set,” we wrote in our review.
All four episodes are available on All 4 until 2nd March.
