alan45
11-07-2007, 07:20
PRIMETIME BBC1 dramas The Chase and New Street Law are being axed, TV Biz can reveal.
And Corporation bosses are also considering the future of long-running popular shows Dalziel And Pascoe and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
Veterinary drama The Chase — penned by Band Of Gold writer Kay Mellor and starring her daughter Gaynor Faye — will be dumped from its Sunday night slot.
The second series only returned on Sunday night.
Legal eagle show New Street Law has also fallen foul of the channel’s drama cull. The show about two rival barristers’ chambers — starring John Hannah and John Thomson — reached its second series climax a month ago.
Last night a BBC spokesman said: “We can confirm that after two series each, The Chase and New Street Law will not be returning.
“However, we are in discussions with makers Rollem Productions (The Chase) and Red Production (New Street Law) about forthcoming exciting projects.
“We look forward to working with them in the future.
“BBC Drama constantly monitors all productions to keep them fresh and challenging.”
The axings comes as part of a widespread review of primetime BBC1 by controller Peter Fincham.
A source said: “Drama is incredibly important to the BBC.
“We make some of the best in the world and, as such, it is crucial to keep coming up with new shows and scripts.”
New dramas set to fill the void include revamped fairytales such as Cinderella and Rapunzel.
And Corporation bosses are also considering the future of long-running popular shows Dalziel And Pascoe and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
Veterinary drama The Chase — penned by Band Of Gold writer Kay Mellor and starring her daughter Gaynor Faye — will be dumped from its Sunday night slot.
The second series only returned on Sunday night.
Legal eagle show New Street Law has also fallen foul of the channel’s drama cull. The show about two rival barristers’ chambers — starring John Hannah and John Thomson — reached its second series climax a month ago.
Last night a BBC spokesman said: “We can confirm that after two series each, The Chase and New Street Law will not be returning.
“However, we are in discussions with makers Rollem Productions (The Chase) and Red Production (New Street Law) about forthcoming exciting projects.
“We look forward to working with them in the future.
“BBC Drama constantly monitors all productions to keep them fresh and challenging.”
The axings comes as part of a widespread review of primetime BBC1 by controller Peter Fincham.
A source said: “Drama is incredibly important to the BBC.
“We make some of the best in the world and, as such, it is crucial to keep coming up with new shows and scripts.”
New dramas set to fill the void include revamped fairytales such as Cinderella and Rapunzel.