Like the title says, this is somewhat old news. But it is good news if you like some British dramas that have come on itv in the last year. monroe, Scott & Bailey, Case Sensitive, and Vera have all been recommissioned for second series.

monroe is filmed in Leeds and stars James Nesbitt as neurosurgeon Gabriel Monroe. The second series will be six episodes, as was the first. Monroe is now divorced and dealing with life as a single man. How?  He throws himself even more into his work at St Matthew’s Hospital.  The first series will be on BBC Canada this autumn. So far no word on an American broadcast for the programme.

Scott & Bailey will be back with eight episodes in 2012, production to start in October 2011. The programme explores the personal and professional lives of DC Janet Scott (Lesley Sharp) and DC Rachel Bailey (Suranne Jones – co-creator and series writer as well), both members of Syndicate 9, a Major Incident Team within the Manchester Met Police, who are tasked with tracking down killers.

Case Sensitive is based on the highly acclaimed psychological suspense novels written by Sophie Hannah. Two new episodes with origins in Sophie’s novel “The Other Half Lives” will be produced by Hat Trick Productions. Olivia Williams returns in the lead role of DS Charlie Zailer and with her is Darren Boyd as DC Simon Waterhouse.  The new two part story will be adapted by Sarah Williams (Poppy Shakespeare). The first series, also of two episodes, averaged 6 million viewers and a 20% share. The new episodes will be filmed on location in Buckinghamshire.

Vera is the story of an unconventional but somehow still loveable copper, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.  The series is based on the novels of Ann Cleeves and features Brenda Blethyn, OBE in the titular role. Vera was a huge hit in its first series with an average of 6.6 million viewers and a 25% share for its four 120 minute episodes. Set in contemporary Northumberland and Newcastle, filming of four new stand-alone episodes has already begun. Paul Rutman has written the first episode entitled “The Ghost Position”. Paul has also written the fourth as yet untitled film. Colin Teevan has written the second film “Sandancers” and Gaby Chiappe has adapted the third film “Silent Voices”, from Ann Cleeves’ latest novel.

Also recommissioned are a three episode series of Kidnap & Ransom starring Trevor Eve as Dominic King, an international hostage negotiator. The series will be filmed in South Africa starting next month. With the success of the first film a second feature with Victorian copper Inspector Jack Whicher is in development.

monoroe, Scott & Bailey, and Vera are available in the forum to download.  So far only monroe has any announced broadcast in North America.