New series of Death in Paradise and Luther have been promised by BBC head of drama Ben Stephenson as part of his strategy to invigorate BBC1's drama roster - though he said no decision had been made on new series of Young James Herriot and Garrow's Law.
Citing the success of Luther and of Sherlock, Stephenson said: "Audiences are drawn to conflicted characters" and said that Luther would return for four episodes next year - but he wouldn't be drawn on the future of Sherlock before Sunday's finale.
The focus on BBC1 drama also came with the admission that the commitment to drama on BBC3 would be downgraded, with either Being Human or Lip Service axed after their next series or no recommission for The Fades.
Read more: Radio Times
BBC Renewed Drama Round Up
Jan 11, 2012
Cancelled Shows Luther Sherlock
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Damn, I had hoped that they had sorted budgets already for BBC3 :( *shakes fist at the current government"
ReplyDeleteFuck you cuts I need Being Human S5 and The Fades S2
ReplyDeleteNow, I can't wait for Sherlock even more!
ReplyDeleteHm, considering that Sherlock's drawing 8+ mil. viewers on average this season which is up from S1, the only thing that could stop it from being renewed is a) their budget or b) a character getting killed or c) the busy schedule of Cumberbatch and Freeman (both of whom said they wanted to return).
ReplyDeleteyeah!!
ReplyDeleteGood news on Death in Paradise and Luther!
ReplyDeleteThe two are opposite ends of the spectrum as far as two Crime Drama series can be apart, but I like them both quite a bit.
I do not watch Lip Service so I can't speak to that series....
Being Human has been good, but with four out of the 5 main cast members gone, this could be a good time to end the series maybe. I will reserve judgement until after watching some of the new season's episodes, but The real focus of the series and its original story has ended as of last season in my eyes.
The Fades could ans should get more story time, but I am not sure of its UK ratings so I won't go too far in my stance....
Of the two, I would hope for S2 of The Fades, since 2 of the originals wouldn't be in S5 of Being Human.
ReplyDeleteJust means "not renewed". Not sure why they only used the phrase with that show and 'axed' with the other two.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I would go even further too. Four out of the 5 main characters on Being Human will be gone this season since Nina will be gone and Herrick is dead... for a third time! XD
ReplyDeleteAnd yet things like that aren't odd on British shows. The Doctor has died many times. Blake's 7 didn't have Blake for half the run of the show. On Robin Hood they killed off Maid Marian and continued the show, then they killed off Robin Hood and still considered continuing it... It wouldn't surprise me if they killed off Merlin and continued the show for 2 more years without him.
ReplyDeleteI wish we didn't have to choose!
ReplyDeleteIt's ratings were okay, I think they may we waiting to see how it does on BBC America
ReplyDeleteGood to know and that makes some sense. Hope it does well on BBC America.
ReplyDeleteThe Fades was great I hope we get more of it and Being Human since it has lost the main characters it just isn't as appealing to me as much as it was. I watched Lip Service and liked it but I would rather see it go than The Fades and I also don't live in the UK either so my opinion doesn't matter much anyway. lol
ReplyDeleteSadly we do not even get to choose. The BBC will choose and we are stuck with whatever they do! XD
ReplyDeletewell i hope they cancel that Lip Service thing...
ReplyDeleteGreat news about Luther - love that show but hopefully we'll see more Alice.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Lip Service so can't comment on that but hopefully The Fades will get a second series - it had a promising start. Can't really say anything about Being Human until I see series 4 and if it manages to survive the casting changes.
Yeah, I;m not buying all of this talk about there not being a third season. They're just trying to play on people's fears and gain more hype for the show.
ReplyDeleteThe ratings on BBC America, or any other channel, wouldn't bear any relevance on it's renewal I'm afraid. The BBC's funding through the Licence Fee works very differently to just about any other channel in the world, and due to it's charter they would be breaking the law if they did do that.
ReplyDeleteExactly, we're very used to cast changes in popular shows over here and they don't seem to make much difference to it's popularity. Take Misfits...the show *everyone* said they would stop watching when Nathan left....it had more viewers for the last series than ever before, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe Fades did slightly better than Lip Service ratings wise, but LS was hailed a critical success due to it's PC characters being portrayed realistically. Being Human has by far the larger audience, double that of either of the other 2 and is one of the channels highest viewed programs ever.
ReplyDeleteRatings aren't always a deciding factor in renewal thou on the BBC, it's the diversity of programming that matters. As everyone who watches TV in the UK has to pay for a Licence Fee, everyone has to be represented when it comes to making programs, even if only, say, 300,000 people watch a certain program.
Hope you're right, I'm madly in love with that show :-)
ReplyDeleteThey did end "life on mars" who was a great show, had a stellar cast and good rating though.
I just meant that if there was seen to be interest it might encourage them to do more. I'm just clutching onto straws here because I want another series!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, there's still a lot to be explored and the show really could take off imo.
ReplyDelete