Channel 5 has commissioned two new series of the factual documentary, Cause of Death, which follows real life coronial investigations, medical processes, and police investigations “as they unfold the mysteries in a previously closed and taboo world.”
The hit documentary series which takes viewers inside the world of the Senior Coroner for Lancashire & Darwen, is produced by Candour Productions, and has been commissioned for two eight-part (8 x 60) series due in 2023 and 2024.
The first series of Cause of Death pulled in a consolidated average audience of 1.6 million viewers per episode during its four-week run. With 1.7 million viewers tuning into the finale, the series has reached 5 million viewers overall.
Cause of Death sees the detective story from the Coroner’s angle. The 360-degree series tracks the deceased from the moment they are found or brought into the mortuary, to the inquest months later.
Each self-contained episode looks at a number of different stories and the families at their centre. With exclusive access to the Coroner and his team, the series follows as they uncover the truth behind a series of cases as they come in, provide comfort to the next of kin and guide them through a difficult and unfamiliar process, coordinate medical enquiries, post mortems and CT scans and liaise with the police leading up to the inquest.
Channel 5 and Paramount + Commissioning Editor, Daniel Pearl, says: “Cause of Death is a truly extraordinary new factual hit. Its first series garnered both high praise and high ratings in equal measure owing to the sensitive way that Candour approached this difficult subject and the great care taken to work with all the contributors.”
Executive Producer Anna Hall says: “This has been a ground-breaking series to make – and we are thrilled that the sensitive work of the police; all the hospital staff and of course the Coroner and his officers have been recognised in telling these incredible stories of what happens when someone dies in unexpected, sudden and suspicious circumstances. This order will be transformational for Candour as we continue to grow our production talent in the north of England”.
Cause of Death is commissioned by Daniel Pearl and executive produced by Anna Hall at Candour Productions.
Jon Creamer
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