The psychological thriller launched as BBC Two's highest-rated drama since 2005.

The Fall became BBC Two’s biggest drama series launch in eight years on Monday night.

The series dominated its time-slot and opened with an average audience of 3.5 million and 15.4 percent share, peaking at 3.6 million, making it the highest drama series launch on the channel since Romein 2005. It also beat the BBC Two slot average of 1.79 million (7.4 percent) for the past 12 months.

Starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, The Fall is a psychological thriller that examines the lives of two hunters. One is a serial killer who stalks his victims at random in and around Belfast and the other is a talented female Detective Superintendent on secondment from the Metropolitan Police who is brought in to catch him.

Produced by Artists Studio and written by Allan Cubitt (The Runaway, Murphy’s Law, Prime Suspect), the five episodes follow the police investigation uncovering the intricate story of the lives entangled by a series of murders – both the killer's and the victims’ families.

BBC Head of Drama Northern Ireland, Stephen Wright, says: “I am thrilled with the audience’s response to episode one of The Fall and delighted for Allan Cubitt who created the show. It is a testament to the talent and dedication of the cast and crew in Belfast where Line Of Duty, series two is currently shooting.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama, adds: “In a week that has seen BBC Drama enjoy record success at the BAFTAs, winning 7 out of 8 awards, it’s particularly gratifying to see the audience reaction to the launch of BBC Two’s new original British drama The Fall – an outstandingly imagined piece of series television.”