ITV1 crime drama Whitechapel is returning for a six-part series with viewers set to see more despicable deeds on - and under - the streets of London's East End. The series, starring Rupert Penry-Jones as young detective Joseph Chandler, will be made up of three stories each set across two episodes. Previous episodes have seen the police grapple with crimes inspired by Jack the Ripper and the Kray Twins and the new series will see them investigate body-snatching and a series of murders in tunnels under the streets of Whitechapel. The show, which also stars Phil Davis as detective Ray Miles and Steve Pemberton as Edward Buchan, will be shown next year. Executive Producer, Sally Woodward Gentle says: "I am delighted we are getting the chance to tell brand new Whitechapel stories but this time as a series. The East End of London is steeped in history, secrets and gore and we now have the opportunity to take Chandler, Miles and Buchan to places darker still. If you thought the Ripper and Krays were scary, just wait." The original three part serial of Whitechapel debuted on February 02, 2009 with overnight ratings reaching 8.13 million viewers. A second serial was commissioned by ITV in September 2009 with the focus on the infamous Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie. The first episode of this second series was broadcast on 11 October 2010 and achieved 7 million viewers (25% share of the audience). The ratings average for series two was 6.5 million and a 23% share. The third series will begin filming this Spring for transmission in 2012.
