'Homeland' episode two grabs 2.4m on Channel 4, up 100k week-on-week

'Homeland' episode two grabs 2.4m on Channel 4, up 100k week-on-week

Channel 4's second episode of US drama Homeland picked up extra viewers last night, according to early overnight data.

The Showtime thriller, starring Damian Lewis and Claire Danes, took 2.05m (7.8%) in the 9pm hour and a further 314k (1.6%) on Channel 4 +1.

Bucking the trend against Channel 4's recent US imports, the ratings were exactly 100k higher than last week.

Sister channel E4's 10pm showing of Desperate Housewives managed a decent 637k (3.3%), then 161k (1.6%) caught up an hour later.

The Only Way Is Essex triumphed with 1.04m (5.1%) and 125k (1.1%) on +1, while a repeat of Friday's Benidorm amused 879k (3.3%) at 9pm (+1: 165k/0.9%), and movie The Mummy Returns grabbed 701k (2.2%) from 6.30pm (+1: 176k/0.7%).

BBC Three's Being Human lagged behind with 680k (2.6%), and Sky1's Got to Dance had 548k (2.3%) from 6pm.

Back on the terrestrials, Dancing on Ice's performance show benefited from a shorter running time, drawing 7.35m (27.8%) from 7pm (+1: 260k/0.9%).

Without Call the Midwife as competition, Wild at Heart's ratings recovered to 6.2m (22.6%) at 8.30pm (+1: 239k/1%), before 5.75m (22.1%) tuned in for Dancing on Ice: The Skate Off at 9.30pm (+1: 260k/1.6%), and That Sunday Night Show logged 2.25m (10.9%)

BBC One's Upstairs Downstairs fell to 5.85m (22.4%) from 9.05pm, prior to which Countryfile (7.35pm) interested 6.4m (23.5%) and Antiques Roadshow (8.20pm) pulled in 6.36m (22.7%).

Meanwhile, Top Gear was easily BBC Two's most-watched programme with 5.17m (18.8%) at 8pm. Swimming with Crocodiles (2.16m/8.2%) and Match of the Day 2 (2.45m/13.8%) followed with respectable audiences.

For Channel 5, Cowboy Builders (626k/2.2%) and The Outlaw of Josey Wales (746k/3.8%) both underperformed.

Elsewhere, The Hotel welcomed 1.22m (4.3%) to Channel 4 at 8pm (+1: 191k/0.7%), while late-night film Law Abiding Citizen also performed well with 1.49m (10.4%) and 289k (3.9%) on timeshift.

Overall, ITV1 just overtook BBC One in primetime with 22.4% (+1: 0.9%) against 22.2%. BBC Two finished in third place with 10.9%, way ahead of Channel 4's 5.4% (+1: 0.7%).

Surprisingly, ITV2 edged into fifth place with 3.3% (+1: 0.7%), beating Channel 5's 3.1%.

'True Blood' showrunner Alan Ball to step down after fifth season

'True Blood' showrunner Alan Ball to step down after fifth season

True Blood showrunner Alan Ball is to step down from his full-time role at the end of the show's fifth season, it has been confirmed.

Ball, who has a contract with showrunners HBO, will stay with the supernatural drama if it is picked up for a sixth season, but in a supervisory role as he steps up work on new crime drama Banshee for HBO's sister network Cinemax.

A statement from HBO read: "When we extended our overall deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to True Blood's sixth season that Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner.

"If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years.

"Alan will remain available as executive producer to consult and advise on True Blood and he will be free to develop new shows for both HBO and Cinemax.

"Banshee, on which Alan serves as executive producer, is the first in-house series for Cinemax and is expected to begin production this spring."

Ball added: "True Blood has been, and will continue to be, a highlight of not only my career but my life.

"Because of the fantastic cast, writers, producers and crew, with whom I have been lucky enough to work these past five years, I know I could step back and the show will continue to thrive as I look forward to new and exciting ventures."

Ball had previously hinted that he was considering leaving the show after its fifth season, stating: "I don't know if I have any left in me after that. We'll see."

'Doctor Who' writer Toby Whithouse: 'I know about the new companion'

'Doctor Who' writer Toby Whithouse: 'I know about the new companion'

Doctor Who writer Toby Whithouse has dropped hints about the next series.

The sci-fi drama's seventh run will see Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) depart, with a new companion replacing the pair.

Whithouse, who is expected to write the third episode, told The Hollywood Reporter that he is aware of "some plans for the new companion".

"In terms of the series as a whole.... there are quite a few things I know," he teased. "The one downside of working on Doctor Who is that you know what's coming up."

The Being Human creator agreed that it was time for Matt Smith's Doctor to get a new assistant, adding that the show's companions "have a natural shelf life".

"I know a bit about the new companion, [but] I don't know who they cast," he explained. "Even if I did, if I told you [showrunner] Steven Moffat would come out here and punch me in the neck.

"Steven is one of the cleverest, most inventive people I've ever met in my life, and so you know it is in very safe hands with him. If he makes decisions, the chances are it's for the best - it's the best thing for the show."

The new series of Doctor Who began filming last week in Wales, with Sherlock star Rupert Graves, Harry Potter actor David Bradley and The Fast Show's Mark Williams all cast in guest roles.

The series will return to BBC One in the autumn.

James Spader Quits 'The Office'

James Spader Quits 'The Office'

James Spader is taking early retirement from "The Office."

The former "Boston Legal" star is leaving the NBC sitcom after he completes the current eighth season of the series, which was his first with the show, the network confirms to TheWrap.

Spader played new Dunder Mifflin/Sabre CEO Robert California. He replaced outgoing manager Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, after appearing at the end of the series' seventh season. He then quickly earned a promotion to CEO.

According to "The Office" executive producer Paul Lieberstein, the departure is in keeping with Spader's plans for the show.

"James always wanted this to be a one-year arc, and he now leaves us having created one of the most enigmatic and dynamic characters in television," Lieberstein said. "He's been a great friend to me and the show, helping us successfully transition into the post-Michael Scott years, and I'm grateful for that."

Lieberstein's statement notwithstanding, the current season of "The Office" has been marked by dwindling ratings, with the show hitting a series low of a 2.2 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic with its Feb. 17 episode. (The show's ratings improved slightly for its most recent episode Thursday, climbing 13 percent in the demo.)

The network does not yet have specific plans for Spader's replacement.

Ade Edmondson blasts soaps for "unpleasant" characters

Ade Edmondson blasts soaps for "unpleasant" characters

Ade Edmondson has slammed soaps for their "unpleasant" portrayal of British people.

The Young Ones legend described the UK serials as "selfish" and "aggressive".

The 55-year-old told Reader's Digest: "Can someone tell me what's wrong with a bit of feel-good telly?

"Haven't we got enough selfish, aggressive programmes? The soaps are full of unpleasant people.

"If you watched an average week of British TV, you'd come away thinking we're a nation of murderous, drink-driving, egotistical con-artists.

"I'm sorry, but this country's not like that. The vast majority of us are decent, funny and friendly."

'Downton Abbey' casts Cara Theobald, Lucille Sharp as maids

'Downton Abbey' casts Cara Theobald, Lucille Sharp as maids

Downton Abbey has cast two new actors for its third series.

Cara Theobald will play a new kitchen maid called Ivy in the Carnival Films period drama, while it has also been confirmed that Lucille Sharp has joined as lady's maid Miss Reid.

Last week, it was revealed that Matt Milne, the star of War Horse, had signed up to play a footman named Alfred.

In January, Oscar-nominated actress Shirley MacLaine was brought in to portray Martha Levinson, the mother of Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern). Sharp's Miss Reid is to serve as Martha Levinson's maid in the Julian Fellowes-penned piece.

Downton Abbey is expected to return with a new series on ITV later this year.

Only Way Is Essex Lauren Goodger, Jessica Wright take spat to Twitter

Only Way Is Essex Lauren Goodger, Jessica Wright take spat to Twitter

Only Way Is Essex stars Lauren Goodger and Jessica Wright have seemingly exchanged insults on Twitter.

During last night's episode of the ITV2 reality show, the pair refused to accept responsibility over their previous arguments.

Wright tweeted: "Haha still cannot belieeeve some people are that deluded to think they can twist and lie about something so much! Wow! Manipulative & weird"

Meanwhile, Goodger wrote: "Not seen the show yet,but actually shocked when uknown some1 so long n there that sly 2lie n play victim!Life 2 short best of without them x

"U can only try so much n be nice bigger person!sometimes u got take step bk n look at the bigger picture n ignore n move on!they want drama!"

Goodger was engaged to Jessica's brother Mark Wright, who last year quit TOWIE to appear on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

The Only Way Is Essex continues this Wednesday at 10pm on ITV2.