Production history · 2006–2009
From first filming to the final unresolved mystery
Follow Kingdom through three Norfolk productions, 18 broadcasts and ITV’s decision not to commission a fourth series.
- Production
Series 1 filming begins
A roughly twelve-week first-series production places Swaffham at the centre of the programme’s Norfolk geography.
- Broadcast
Kingdom premieres on ITV
The opening episode introduces Peter Kingdom, the practice and Simon’s disappearance.
- Audience
Series 1 establishes a Sunday-night audience
The first run remains the programme’s largest audience period, led by the premiere’s reported 8.55 million viewers.
- Production
Series 2 is filmed
Andrew Grieve and Edward Hall direct separate three-episode blocks.
- Broadcast
Series 2 begins
The family story advances one year and Simon’s return changes the programme’s central mystery.
- Commissioning
ITV commissions Series 3
The programme is renewed for a third run of six episodes.
- Production
Series 3 is filmed
The final production returns to Norfolk and also uses locations outside the county for the Stockport story.
- Broadcast
Series 3 begins
The final six episodes move beyond Simon’s story towards questions of duty, health and identity.
- Broadcast
The final episode airs
Peter’s discovery about his parentage creates a new mystery that the programme never resolves.
- Commissioning
No fourth series
Stephen Fry announces that ITV will not commission another series, praising the East Anglian team behind it.