The much-anticipated second season of the BBC drama series, The Tourist, aired last night in the highly coveted New Year’s Day 9 p.m. GMT slot. However, it failed to make a strong impression on viewers, drawing in only 2.2 million viewers, which paled in comparison to its previous season’s opener from two years ago.
The Tourist Season 2 faced a major setback as it was comfortably beaten by ITV’s post office drama in terms of viewership. The episode experienced its peak viewership at 2.5 million but failed to captivate a larger audience. This disappointing performance indicates that the fervor surrounding the show may have fizzled out since its first season.
Despite the lackluster television ratings, there is still a glimmer of hope for The Tourist Season 2. The availability of all episodes on the popular streaming platform, iPlayer, may lead to a significant surge in viewership in the coming weeks. Many fans might choose to catch up on the series at their convenience, potentially boosting the show’s overall numbers.
The Jamie Dornan-led series, which relocated from Australia to Ireland for its second season, offers a global appeal. Alongside its BBC airing, The Tourist is co-produced for streaming platforms in several countries, including Australia’s Stan and Germany’s ZDF. Additionally, Netflix will soon release the show in the United States, giving it a chance to attract a broader international audience.
Last night’s episode of The Tourist was far from lacking in excitement. Jamie Dornan’s character, Elliot, finds himself kidnapped during his journey to Ireland, accompanied by Helen, portrayed by Danielle Macdonald. Together, they embark on a mission to uncover the truths about Elliot’s past. This thrilling storyline showcases the potential for intriguing plotlines in the upcoming episodes.
The Tourist faced fierce competition from ITV’s heart-wrenching drama, Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office, starring Toby Jones. This poignant series revolves around a miscarriage of justice that is considered one of the most significant in British legal history. The gripping premise of ITV’s show seems to have resonated with viewers, as it outperformed The Tourist in terms of viewership.
Over the Christmas holidays, the BBC aired other captivating dramas that garnered more attention than The Tourist Season 2. The adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy, featuring David Jonsson from the popular series Industry, attracted 3.7 million and 2.8 million viewers on its respective airings. Additionally, the feature drama Men Up, produced by Russell T Davies, which delves into the invention of Viagra, drew in an audience of 1.5 million on December 29.
The return of The Tourist for its second season fell short of expectations with significantly lower viewership numbers compared to its previous season. However, the availability of the series on iPlayer and its upcoming launch on Netflix in the U.S. provide an opportunity for the show to regain its lost momentum. The captivating storyline and international appeal may yet bring success to The Tourist Season 2, making it a must-watch for viewers worldwide.