Cop drama praised for featuring gay characters axed by BBC
Stars of TV drama Cuffs say the show will not return for a second series.
Amanda Abbington has revealed that BBC One cop drama Cuffs has been axed by the BBC after just one series.
The show – which concluded last night – starred the Sherlock actress alongside the likes of Ashley Walters, Alex Carter and Eleanor Matsuura as police officers in Brighton.
The series was praised for featuring two gay police officers in main roles and for its lack of sensationalism when it came to the character’s discussing their sexuality.
However, the show failed to attract consistently high viewers, reportedly leading to bosses at the BBC to scrap the show.
Abbington – who also plays Watson’s wife in Sherlock – took to Twitter to express her disappointment at the news.
“End of an era. And we are all gutted,” she tweeted. “Thanks to a wonderful cast, crew and fans. No series two. Sad day.”
She later added: “Thanks for all your support and tweets regarding #cuffs. You’re all so great. Bless ya. We will miss it so much.”
Fellow cast member Matsurra – who played a lesbian police officer in the show – posted a GIF showing another gay character, Jake, played by Jacob Ifan.
“When y’all thought Series 1 was amazing but you have to break the news there’s no Series 2 #Cuffs @CuffsTV,” she added.
“When they recommission some total balls but your show get cancelled…” she continued.
“But seriously: hugest THANK U to my incredible #Cuffs family and all the fans. You’ve been brilliant. I’ll always be so proud of our show.”
The BBC is yet to confirm that the show will not be returning for another series.
The Director-General of the BBC yesterday defended the nomination of anti-gay boxer Tyson Fury for the broadcaster’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
Heavyweight boxing champ Fury is up for the ‘personality’ award on Sunday – despite claiming that homosexuality and paedophilia will bring about the apocalypse.
