Iain W said -

If we look at series instead of individuals there is a steady increase in killing (as the plots got thinner ;-/): Series 1 - 15 Series 2 - 25 Series 3 - 39 Series 4 - 55

Now that is a very striking statistic, thanks for doing the work to compile it. It might equally plausibly be as the plots get grimmer, or as the people get more desparate.

I haven't counted up the villans kills yet (or the single show guests).

I'd be interested to see what that looks like.

Also - lots of people get killed by the gang in series one and two when they are blowing up various installations - but these are hard to count.

I think big anonymous kills by the heroes or by the baddies, have more impact on the audience than the writers probably thought. But I know you can't count 'em very well

Thanks anyway

Alison