When The Killing was first shown on BBC4 earlier this year, it attracted 470,000 viewers and garnered a BAFTA - not bad for a programme costing the Corporation a reported £1,200 per episode. Since then, the unhurried Danish police thriller has spawned a big-budget US version, worldwide fascination with Detective Sarah Lund's Faroesque furry jumper, and now a second series with a lot to live up to.
At first sight, this welcome return to our screens starts in familiar territory - a woman's body discovered in bleak Danish woodland, an apparent crime of passion, a background of political intrigue, a litany of suspects and grim-faced police officers. It's all business as usual, but where's our favourite Sarah Lund, played with poker-faced aplomb by Danish star Sofie Grabol?
The answer is, on a border security outpost and in disgrace following the fall-out from the events of Series One. Until her unique detection skills are called upon by her former employers, and the man destined to become her new partner in anti-crime Ulrik Strange.
The format which worked so well before is here again, with three initially disparate set-ups - in this case, Lund's life, an army base and the justice arm of government - all set on a collision course. The case seems cut and dried until, Columbo-style, Lund pauses for one of her game-changing realisations and we head off in another direction.
There are some changes, however. This series is already zipping along with people running, trains hurtling, geography constantly changing. After all, the writers have to squeeze an equivalent story into only 10 hours, half the time allotted to the leisurely masterpiece of the first series.
Nonetheless, there is still time to enjoy Lund's calm contemplation and slow unravelling of the crime scene. It's all just a bit more colourful too, including - shock, horror - a bright red jumper in place of our old friend, the Faro.
Fear not, I have it on good authority the black-on-white design is making its way back, just one more thing to look forward to in what is already promising to be another unmissable offering from Copenhagen.
The Killing II continues next Saturday on BBC4. See some images from the show in our Slideshow below...