Bloodlands has quietly vanished from the BBC schedule for good.
The popular thriller series, starring James Nesbitt, who has had a successful career with films such as Cold Feet and The Hobbit, centred on the investigation of unsolved crimes.
The 59-year-old actor, who plays Northern Irish police officer DCI Tom Brannick, has been with the programme from its debut in 2021 and has helped it gain a devoted following.
The first installment received an excellent 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, however the BBC stated that it stopped after two seasons last year.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
Throughout the first series, Brannick is put to work when it is thought that the famed assassin Goliath is responsible for a fresh kidnapping.
Despite the fact that he is in charge of the inquiry, everything is not as it appears. An dramatic ending reveals Brannick to be Goliath, who murdered two people in the 1990s when his wife Emma’s life was in danger. The story concluded with Brannick murdering the only individuals who could identify him as Goliath.
When the show returned for a second season, there were others working on his case, including the widow of one of his victims, Olivia Foyle, played by Victoria Smurfit.
Although, there was no official announcement at the time – Charlene McKenna, who played DS Niamh McGovern, threw fire over the hope of more episodes.
‘I want a series three so much, but, no, I don’t think so,’ they told the Belfast Telegraph in 2023.
‘Bloodlands may have reached its natural conclusion with James Nesbitt’s character, DCI Tom Brannick, being revealed as serial killer Goliath, but I really wanted one more season for him to finally get his comeuppance and for me to be the one to serve it to him.’
Jed Mercurio, who created Breathtaking and Line of Duty, wrote the drama, which starred actor-turned-writer Chris Brandon.
Lola Petticrew portrayed Brannick’s daughter Izzy Brannick, while Lisa Dwan played her university instructor Tori Matthews.
Fans have naturally reacted to the news with disappointment.
‘I can’t believe the #BBC have decided to axe #bloodlands that was such a great show,’ shared Colin on X. Others hoped it was a delayed April Fools joke, that Goliath would not get consequences for the decisions.
Is the story about the BBC axing Bloodlands 3rd series before James Nesbitt’s Goliath character gets his comeuppance an April Fools?🤯
— UpperGwladysBlue (@UpperGwladysBlu) April 1, 2024
I can't believe the #BBC have decided to axe #bloodlands that was such a great show. Here's hoping this is an #AprilFoolsDay joke
— Colin (@LawsonsLand) April 1, 2024
Motherland, a comedy series about middle-class parenthood, may also be cancelled.
The announcement follows a succession of cancellations, including several of the most popular shows. Paddy McGuinness’ gameshows Catchpoint and I Can See Your Voice are currently terminating. Both David Jason’s Still Open All Hours and the game show Unbeatable have been cancelled in recent months.
Russell T Davies, showrunner of Doctor Who, has stated that the end of the BBC is ‘undoubtedly on its way’.
Bloodlands is available to watch on BBC iPlayer