Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Surgeons: At The Edge Of Life Commissioned For Further Two Series

9 May, 2024

BBC Factual and BBC Scotland have commissioned a further two series of award-winning medical documentary Surgeons: At The Edge of Life from Dragonfly Film and TV (part of Banijay UK), following its recent successful run on BBC Two and iPlayer.

The new series will be filmed in Edinburgh and The Lothians at some of the region’s leading centres of medical excellence – NHS Lothian’s The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital and St. John’s Hospital.

With unprecedented access to surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre staff and patients, the series will once again offer a unique insight into to the innovative and cutting-edge surgeries taking place on the frontline of medical science.

Series six, which recently broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer, consistently performed well. The 28-day figure for episode 1 is 2.5m, well above the average for Factual on BBC Two. A high proportion (around one fifth) of its audience watch via iPlayer, while it performs above average with 16-34s.

Sreya Biswas, Head of BBC Commissioning, Natural History said: Surgeons: At the Edge of Life is a key brand for BBC Specialist Factual and has continued to grow audiences across BBC Two and iPlayer, showcasing boundary pushing surgery, and the incredible medical teams who make it possible. Deep diving into the most complex surgical procedures is what makes the brand so special. It is very exciting to be co-commissioning with BBC Scotland and to be based in Edinburgh for the coming series.

David Harron, BBC Scotland said: “BBC Scotland is delighted to be bringing Surgeons: At the Edge of Life to Scotland. It is a compelling series and these next two series will bring audiences unique insight into the work of some of Scotland’s top medical teams, shining a light on the dedication and skills employed in theatres every day.”

Richard Bond, Managing Director of Dragonfly said: “After successfully transferring production of Ambulance to Dragonfly North in Manchester, I’m thrilled that the BBC have supported us in moving Surgeons to Scotland with this bumper two series order, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves under the stewardship of our new and fantastically talented local production team.”

Surgeons: At the Edge of Life is made by Dragonfly Film and TV for BBC Two and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The BBC Commissioning Editors are Sreya Biswas, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and David Harron for BBC Scotland. The Executive Producers for Dragonfly Film and TV are Ros Ponder and Ross Harper.