Photographer: Steve Brown. Designer: Mark Jones. Copyright GE.
ITV has cancelled its Jekyll and Hyde TV show, after just one season of ten episodes, leaving fans with no in-story closure. Today, creator Charlie Higson made the cancellation public on Twitter. Thus far, ITV has not commented publicly, on the status of Jekyll and Hyde.
Set in London, this 1930s period drama stars Tom Bateman as the grandson of the original Dr. Jekyll, as he tries to understand the awful legacy inherited from his grandfather. The cast also includes Donald Sumpter, Stephanie Hyam, Tom Rhys Harries, Natalie Gumede, Michael Karim, Richard E. Grant, Phil McKee, and Oliver Gilbert.
Here are some of Higson’s tweets regarding the cancellation of Jekyll and Hyde:
Sad day today as ITV announce they don’t want any more #JekyllandHyde Ah well, I tried. It was a grand adventure while it lasted.
— charlie higson (@monstroso) January 5, 2016
We had some great stories lined up for series 2 #JekyllandHyde
— charlie higson (@monstroso) January 5, 2016
Thanks for all the messages of support #JekyllandHyde I’m moving on to other things.
— charlie higson (@monstroso) January 5, 2016
if you want to watch and keep #JekyllandHyde for ever now you can. in glorious 5.1 sound https://t.co/VLKXJcBIZw
— charlie higson (@monstroso) January 5, 2016
When a fan expressed dismay, complaining the series did not get a proper ending, Higson provided grim, instant closure.
@sil_martinz well… they’re all dead.
— charlie higson (@monstroso) January 5, 2016
Another tweet from Higson strikes the bell we are always ringing, here — ratings:
@stuheritage You can’t argue with the figures. TX for your message, though
— charlie higson (@monstroso) January 5, 2016
Broadcast reports the production team has been told there will be no second series (season):
Broadcast understands that the production team on the 10-part ITV Studios show have been told that there will be no second series, despite some pre-production work being done in preperation [sic] for a recommission.
Charlie Higson’s reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic story made an explosive start in October, attracting 4.3m (18.9%) viewers and a blaze of publicity.
The first episode generated more than 800 complaints and a flurry of headlines for depicting violence and potentially disturbing scenes ahead of the 9pm watershed.
The programme remains under investigation from Ofcom and the media regulator is expected to make a ruling early this year.
But it appears that interest in the show waned and its consolidated ratings decreased to a low of 1.8m (7.6%) for its final episode on 27 December. Overall, Jekyll and Hyde averaged 2.6m (10.8%) viewers.
What do you think? Did you like the Jekyll and Hyde TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled, or could the ratings problem have been fixed with a scheduling change? Would you have watched a second season?
Gutted it’s finished! As for too violent?! Were they watching the same programme that me, my husband and our 7 children (aged 0-14) watched? No different to Dr Who levels of scariness or nonsense. I know why it failed…they didn’t cast “Ant n Dec” in it
Too bad. Great actors and loved the 1930’s period. The ending was lame, since it definitely was filmed to be a SEASON finale, not SERIES finale.
Hi, I don’t have cable and so do not get tv shows when they air. I usually go to CBC or, because I have Rogers, Shomi, to find shows I want to watch. I’ve discovered that most of the shows that I choose only last for 1 season. Combat Hospital, Da Vinci and Jekyl and Hyde are examples. They are all well written, acted and directed. yet they are cancelled, because of viewer ratings. Perhaps it is time to use online ratings as well and make sure that shows are advertised on line too so that those of us who… Read more »
I don’t think the should have canceled it. It’s such a good show. They just didn’t get the right people watching it.
i loved the show. hooked from the first five minutes..i will be buying it on dvd, but then, why bother? knowing the story isnt going to progress? please bring it back,theres enough cop shows, lets have something brilliant,and different.
I like Shelley, felt this was a top quality show. Loved Bateman as Hyde. My husband and I are terribly disappointed there will be no season two.
This was a top quality show. I just finished watching season 1. In Canada on CBC, it was on at 9 pm. I’m so disappointed. This is really something the BBC should pick up.
I never missed an episode. This is a great show! I am so disappointed this show has been cancelled! I would like to see it continue!
Looked forward to veiwing Jekyll and Hyde with my wife every week.A season two would be justified.
My husband and I love this show, it’s original story lines grabbed our interest right away, the possibilities are endless. We’re sad to find out there won’t be a Season 2. Count us in as faithfull followers of the series if there’s a change of heart. There are many fans here in Canada who would love to continue seeing Tom Bateman portray Hyde so convincingly. I hope he receives recognition for his amazing weekly performances! Keeping our fingers crossed that someone will come to their senses, we want to see more of this Jekyll and Hyde.
Well this sucks completely.. I just barely discovered it and was able to watch the ten episodes, then I find out it’s cancelled, so, no second season.. and the “They’re all dead” response as to how it ‘ended’?.. wow. Ticks me off, there are so many shows out there that are utter garbage (Reality shows, just to name one), that go on for years and years. But get something original and well written like this, or Firefly, and it doesn’t last long at all, never mind the number of fans it has, somehow it’s ‘doing bad’. If they had simply… Read more »
Hi, I’m very upset! We get a story that is original. I know that Jekyll and Hyde is an old story. But this was done so originally. I loved it. The violence in my opinion was no worse than most other shows that are on. What about “Highlander”. Xena ,, etc. (all that I liked, I hasten to add). Please people let’s keep up the pressure for them to put it back on, later in the evening when it will offend no one.
Such a disgrace what a great show why did they not put this on at a later time give me a break there are worse things on all the time bring it back
Cant BELIEVE Jekyl and Hyde has been cancelled!. There is so much garbage on TV these days. But when a good and classy show comes on like this one…its gotta go. Next to Murdoch Mystries…this was my favorite! Maybe if there are enough complaints, the powers that be will reconsider. So not fair. I waited patiently for it every week.
I carnt believe that itv have pulled the plug on Jekyll and Hyde. I was so looking forward to series two So sad