Will There Be A "Vienna Blood" Season Two?

Please note: the article below is purely speculation, and should not be seen as confirmation or denial of a second season being filmed or screening.

We're very lucky here at WGBH Drama Club: we get work in the same building as Masterpieceand sit nearby a programming director who helps to select the British dramas that broadcast on PBS. Not gonna lie, it’s pretty cool. But even with these work perks, we actually don’t get much more insider information than the average drama fan. After all, the lineups and schedules of Masterpiece and BritDrams are closely guarded secrets.

So, when we get to wondering if a show might have a second season in the works, we do the same thing you do: we head to the internet to get some answers. And, when the screen went black on the final episode of Vienna Blood, Season One, you can be sure that is exactly what we did. But as we rummaged around, we realized: while we are not the authorities or decision-makers in these situations, we do have some insider experience from years of watching shows come and go. And while we can’t give you a definitive answer of whether there will be a second season, we can share our perspective based on this experience with you.

First of all, how do second seasons get greenlit, anyway? Well, a lot of factors go into the decision to create a second season of a show. Often, those financing the show will look at viewing numbers domestically (in the U.K. and Austria), in foreign markets (the U.S, Asia, South America, etc.), and then on digital platforms (Acorn, Britbox and the like). They will also look at the amount of money they recouped on the project. If it has lost money, that’s never a good sign, but if it has a dedicated fan base and lots of opportunity for merchandising (think toys, clothing, books) and sponsorship, there may still be some hope. Other elements behind the decision include the availability of key actors and crew members, plus reviews and the initial plans of the producers.

So, when held up to this light, how do we think Vienna Blood will fare? Pretty well, to be honest.

First, BBC’s initial press release for the show called it a “Major New Crime Series,” which bodes well for their early plans of creating a franchise out of this property. Second, this first season only used storylines from the first three books of The Liebermann Papers by Frank Tallis, leaving plenty more source material to create a second season.

In addition, Endor Productions and MR Films — the two production companies behind Vienna Blood — have said they are “proud” of the “fresh and unique” series, and added that it has “global appeal.” In addition, Sue Deeks, head of BBC Programme Acquisition, was quoted as saying it is “unique, ambitious and compelling” and that the BBC was “excited to be bringing it to BBC Two.” The full press release for Season 1 of Vienna Blood can be found here.

However, we know that producers and distributors often talk highly of their own product. So what did reviewers and audiences have to say about this show? According to Rotten Tomatoes, audiences gave Vienna Blood a solid rating of 90%. But reviewers gave it a much lower score of 54%. What does this mean? On the one hand, audiences (and their time spent viewing) tend to weigh more heavily in the decision to continue with a series. But better reviews can lead to higher viewing numbers, and therefore, more viewing time accrued. Word-of-mouth can also have a strong effect on viewing time as well, so hopefully all those fans are talking!

Finally, Vienna Blood is not wanting for star power. Matthew Beard is a swiftly rising star in both the U.S. and U.K., as is Jürgen Maurer in his home country of Austria. Supporting performers Conleth Hill, Amelia Bullmore, Jessica De Gouw, Ulrich Noethen, and Oliver Stokowski are all well-known in their respective countries, and beyond. And the show was created by Stephen Thompson, a staff writer from Sherlock, who is now working on the new Leonardo series starring Aiden Turner. Add to all of that the popularity of crime and period series, and you have a pretty good recipe for a popular show, which is likely what the BBC thought when they initially acquired it for broadcast.

However, one downside of all of that star power is it means lining up a lot of busy people in order to film a second season. And, as is true with any period drama, a lot of money was likely invested in creating the proper setting for turn-of-the-century Vienna, including historically accurate costumes, décor, and props. A bigger budget means more money that has to be accrued, so if the show doesn’t make a profit, it’s likely to be toast.

So, when should we know more? Remember, there hasn’t been much lag time between the initial broadcast of Vienna Blood and us getting it here in the U.S.. In the U.K., the show just concluded in January, so it’s not really a surprise that we have yet to hear about a second season. In addition, if the show was not a breakout hit in the U.K., producers and distributors will likely want to wait and see what foreign and digital viewership look like before committing to a second season.

What hope can we give for those of you waiting with bated breath? We can promise we’re right there with you — and as soon as we know, we’ll make sure you do, too. If you haven't seen the first season yet, trust us – it's worth your time. Binge it here.