Moving Wallpaper gets a second series

ITV1 comedy-drama Moving Wallpaper has been commissioned for a second run. The first series of the Kudos Productions produced comedy is currently being broadcast in a prime-time slot on Fridays. It features Ben Miller as maverick TV producer Jonathan Pope who has the task of turning around an ailing Cornish soap by injecting more ratings grabbing storylines into its scripts.

The first episode of Moving Wallpaper in January attracted 5 million viewers on average, easily winning the timeslot. Since then ratings have dropped - falling to below 3 million - however crucially the series has found a loyal fan base.

In a unique twist the inter-linked soap, Echo Beach, follows the fictional mockumentary. Ironically this series is struggling in real life too. Ratings for the soap have now dropped below 2 million, a level ITV1 deems un-acceptable for its prime-time schedule. Critics have suggested that the Jason Donovan and Martine McCutcheon fronted show is not working because Moving Wallpaper 'undermines' its credibility (because viewers get to see the fictional account of how the storylines for the show were dreamt up in the half-hour before).

It seems that despite its dropping audience figures, the network will be sticking with Echo Beach and not, as rumours have been suggesting, axe it mid-season. However, according to reports, when Moving Wallpaper does return, Echo Beach will come back in a far smaller form.

An ITV source said: "Moving Wallpaper is returning. We made the call to Kudos Productions on Saturday. But we're not sure what will happen to Echo Beach. It will either have a few episodes or run on the internet."

There are three more episodes from the current run of Moving Wallpaper left. All nine episodes broadcast so far can currently be re-watched for free via itv.com/movingwallpaper.