Crime thriller Marcella will return to television for a second series, ITV has confirmed.

Star Anna Friel will be back for eight new episodes of the noir detective show, which drew huge ratings in its first outing.

Anna and Swedish screenwriter and novelist Hans Rosenfeldt shared the news at the Edinburgh international TV festival. Marcella is Hans’ first English language show after the popularity of his series The Bridge.

Anna Friel
Anna Friel to reprise her role in ITV’s Marcella (Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images)

Hans said: “I was delighted at the reaction to the first season and am thrilled to be revisiting Marcella for ITV. In the second season, the audience will get the opportunity to spend more time in her world, further exploring some of the characters and getting to know them better.”

Tony Wood, the show’s executive producer, added: “The combination of Hans’ masterful writing, Anna’s gripping performance and Buccaneer’s superb production team struck a chord with viewers.

“Naturally we’re delighted to be working with ITV to create a second season of Marcella.”

Anna Friel attending the BFI Luminous Gala Dinner
Anna Friel (Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images)

In the series Anna stars as London detective Marcella Backland, who returns to the murder squad after a serial killer becomes active again.

Details of guest casting will be announced in the coming months and the new series will air in 2017.