Popular BBC One series Prisoner’s Wives has been green-lit for a second series, it has been confirmed.

The drama was a surprise hit, with over 5 million viewers tuning in, and received praise from critics for its stars, Emma Rigby, Polly Walker, Pippa Haywood, Natalie Gavin, Iain Glen, Jonas Armstrong and Adam Gillen.

The six part series focused on the wives, girlfriends and a mother of prison inmates, as they coped alone on the outside with money, family, pregnancy and drugs.

Writer Julie Gearey revealed the news in the Radio Times, saying: “I’m excited to be writing a second series.”

Adding, “I’m bursting at the seams with new stories to tell.”

Tiger Aspect productions, the company behind the making of Prisoner’s Wives, also confirmed by tweeting: “We can now confirm that #Prisonerswives will return in 2013. Creator Julie Gearey is already “bursting at the seams” with new stories”

The second series will be a shorter run, with only four episodes. As yet, the only confirmed returning cast member is Polly Walker, who played Francesca; the wife of Iain Glen’s character. However it is thought the rest will return, but that is yet to be officially confirmed.

Prisoner’s Wives will return in 2013.