'We sometimes have to make difficult decisions': BBC axes its £10million drama Dickensian after just one series following falling ratings
After just one series, the BBC has announced it has axed its big budget drama Dickensian.
The all-star drama kicked off on Boxing Day, but after 20 episodes it was confirmed by the corporation this week that the period drama based on the classic novels of Charles Dickens won't be back for a second series.
While the first episode pulled in five million viewers, it fell to an average of two million as the series progressed.
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One hit wonder: After just one series, the BBC has announced it has axed its big budget drama Dickensian
Created by former EastEnders' writer Tony Jordan, the drama bought together characters from Dickens' favourites including Oliver Twist, Bleak House and Great Expectations.
The period drama's budget was nearly £10 million in total according to reports, with each episode costing £500,000.
A BBC spokeswoman said the cancellation had been a 'difficult' decision.
'We are incredibly proud of Dickensian and would like to thank all those involved in such an ambitious series.
All star cast: The BBC drama starred the likes of Joseph Quinn as Arthur Havisham and Tuppence Middleton as a young Amelia Havisham
'We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new shows and it won't be returning for a second series,' they said in a statement.
Stephen Rea starred in the series as Inspector Bucket from Bleak House trying to solve the murder of Jacob Marley (Peter Firth) from A Christmas Carol.
A young Miss Havisham was played by Tuppence Middleton while Caroline Quentin played Mrs Bumble from Oliver Twist, with the two included in a cast of 30 of Dickens' most memorable characters.
The falling ratings have been blamed in part by the lack of a fixed time slot, with viewers complaining about the irregularity
Mystery: Stephen Rea starred in the series as Inspector Bucket from Bleak House trying to solve the murder of Jacob Marley (Peter Firth) from A Christmas Carol
Tony Jordan admitted he was 'disappointed' his series wouldn't return, after previously explaining he had already scripted 60 episodes.
'We are hugely proud of what we achieved in the first series of Dickensian and would like to thank everyone who helped us create a truly special and unique drama,' he said in a statement.
The huge budget of the drama saw the series creating the biggest set ever to be built for British television.
A former denim factory in West London was turned into 33 houses and shops, including The Three Cripples Pub (from Oliver Twist), Satis House (Miss Havisham's home in Great Expectations), Scrooge and Marley's Moneylenders (from A Christmas Carol), The Old Curiosity Shop, Madame Mantalini's Dressmakers (from Nicholas Nickleby), a police station, nine back alleys and 90 metres of cobbled street wide enough for two carriages and four horses to pass.
The production was even keen to recreate the River Thames, but ran out of money.
Huge production: Created by former EastEnders' writer Tony Jordan bought together characters from Dickens' favourites including Oliver Twist, Bleak House and Great Expectations
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3554073/We-make-difficult-decisions-BBC-axes-10million-drama-Dickensian-just-one-series-following-falling-ratings.html#ixzz46aBP8GCZ
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