'Upstairs Downstairs' dropped by BBC
Published Apr 21 2012, 11:16 BST | By Colin Daniels
Upstairs Downstairs has been axed by the BBC.Neil Jackson, who plays Harry Spargo in the series, confirmed the news on his Twitter page.
© BBC
© BBC
"Such a shame. I have just heard that the BBC will not be making any more Upstairs Downstairs. I loved the show and will miss... [it] greatly," he wrote.
Upstairs Downstairs ended its first series with almost 7m viewers in 2011. It returned with 6.53m viewers in February of this year.
Jackson recently won a lead role in NBC pilot Notorious, created by Friday Night Lights writer Liz Heldens.
He has previously told Digital Spy that season two of Upstairs Downstairs was "infinitely bigger", describing it as a "fantastic show".
According to the DVD COMMENTARY of DOCTOR WHO - THE AMBASSADORS OF DEATH, actor Peter Halliday reveals that he had the original idea for UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS and dicussed it with Jean Marsh.
He gave it the title of BEHIND THE GREEN BAIZE DOOR.
August 27th 2012 at 6:17pm
If Doctor Who makes the BBC as much cash as you suggest then they wouldn’t be cutting back on the number of episodes that they make each year.
April 24th 2012 at 11:49pm
the original seris was by far one of the best dramas ever and in a way invented the period drama.. the new seris was getting better I must admit , but the writing was often terrible and the storys sometimes silly.. still better than downton which is one advertisment with a bit of period drama thrown in...
April 23rd 2012 at 4:28am
Andrew Bogg Each department is given their own budget so their spending on sport or live entertainment has no effect on their spending on scripted television. Their budgets for sport was cut last year by 15% while cuts to scripted television were minimal.
The only thing that stopped Upstairs Downstairs being renewed is the success of Call The Midwife and its own ratings which were on a downward spiral. Call The Midwife set a new standard in terms of critical reception as well as ratings which Upstairs Downstairs didn't meet despite being on television for longer. Of course Upstairs Downstairs could have run on for longer but I guess they thought the money would be better spent on something new which has the potential to match Call The Midwife and their other period dramas.
If they had continued with Upstairs Downstairs, it would be more expensive and they would have to bring in a new writer and producer which wouldn't guarantee the same quality that the first two series had.
April 23rd 2012 at 1:43am
Steve Keeble You are welcome to your opnionss, Steve :)
April 22nd 2012 at 11:46pm