It’s been announced as ITV’s highest rated new drama of the year and producers have confirmed it will return for a second series.

Liar, which was filmed in Deal and Kingsdown during November 2016 and January 2017, concluded dramatically last night with a nail-biting climax, which left viewers calling out for a second installment.

And to many people’s delight, moments after the closing credits, ITV confirmed Liar would be back featuring both Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd.

It will be a whodunnit, focusing on who murdered key character Andrew Earlham, played by Gruffudd.

Producers have also confirmed they will return to Deal for filming.

ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, said: “Liar has gripped the nation over the last six weeks and we’re delighted both Joanne and Ioan will return to play Laura and Andrew.”

It will be written once again by Jack Williams and Harry Williams of Two Brothers Pictures and say they have already started on the script.

Ms Hill added: “Jack and Harry Williams are incredible story-tellers, and part two of Liar will have the audience equally gripped, as we find out who killed Andrew Earlham.”

Deal featured as the backdrop in all six episodes of the first series.

Production teams took over two houses in the town during filming, one towards the north end of the marina, which is the home of character Laura Nielson, played by Joanne Froggatt, and the other in Wellington Parade in Kingsdown, the home of her sister.

The town’s pier featured heavily throughout. Producer Eliza Mellor said it was in fact the strong element of the pier in particular that appealed to the team when choosing a location for filming.

There were also shots of Jasin’s Restaurant, Deal Beach Parlour and the Hope & Lane restaurant in the High Street opposite St George’s Church plus the promenade, the art deco shelters, the beach and beach huts.

Writers Jack and Harry Williams added: “We always hoped this story would return for its final chapter, and we can’t wait to be reunited with the brilliant Joanne and Ioan”.

Unfortunately for fans, the wait is approximately two years as the cast and crew won’t start filming until January 2019.