Hit BBC drama Bodyguard is said to be returning for a highly-anticipated second season and will see Richard Madden in the lead role again.
Richard took on the role of PS David Budd in the 2018 miniseries, which was created and written by Line of Duty's Jed Mercurio.
Bodyguard became the most watched programme of 2018, with 11 million people tuning in to see the final episode, and six million more watching on iPlayer.
It's been reported now that Jed is less busy following Line of Duty season six, and Richard having recently finished filming Marvel superhero film Eternals, the pair can start work on the Bodyguard follow up.
A TV insider said: "The drama is the most eagerly-anticipated in the world of TV and all the stars are finally aligning.
"Mercurio has always been too preoccupied with Line of Duty to apply himself to Bodyguard II, and after the show’s success, Madden was snapped up by Hollywood.
“Now with both men available, the creative process has kicked off and the BBC are thrilled it could materialise within the next two years," they added to The Sun.
Bodyguard season one follows the relationship of David Budd with Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) after he is appointed as her dedicated Principal Protection Officer.
Writer Jed has always remained tight-lipped about a follow-up to the hit series.
Asked recently if he was working on a second season, he said: "I can exclusively reveal that there are no plans for me to answer that question."
But Jed added: "I learned a lot from the success of Bodyguard. It was heartening to see how an audience would come to something that is fresh and original.
"Bodyguard was just an original concept and people hit the ground running with it. I would love to do something in the next couple of years," he added, according to The Sun.
The Mirror has contacted a representative for Jed Mercurio asking for comment. The BBC declined to comment.
