Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Downton Abbey's second episode scores 9.6m viewers for ITV

The drama's ratings continue to go from strength to strength after last week's record-breaking season premiere

Daisy Wyatt
Monday 30 September 2013 18:18 BST
Comments
Kevin Doyle plays Mr Molesley in Downton Abbey
Kevin Doyle plays Mr Molesley in Downton Abbey (ITV)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Downton Abbey episode two has continued the ITV drama’s ratings success, pulling in 9.6 million viewers.

The second episode of the fourth series was watched by 1.5 million more viewers than last year’s equivalent episode.

The episode, which saw Lady Mary named the legal heir to half of Downton, was also watched by 100,000 more viewers than last week’s premiere.

The series four Downton premiere achieved the drama's highest ratings for an opening episode, drawing in 9.5 million viewers.

The award-winning drama, written by Conservative peer Julian Fellowes, continues to go from strength to strength despite the deaths of popular characters Matthew Crawley and Lady Sybil last series.

However, Downton Abbey only received one Emmy at last week’s awards despite being nominated in eleven categories. It also failed to win any nominations at this year’s TV Baftas.

The drama’s third series, broadcast last year, was its most-watched season with an average of 11.9 million viewers.

Downton Abbey, which debuted on PBS in the US in 2011, is the channel’s highest-rated drama ever.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in