In a surprising turn of events, the BBC has decided not to renew the Leeds-based police drama ‘Better’ for a second series, despite its initial popularity and the high hopes pinned on it to replicate the success of Yorkshire’s other hit series, Happy Valley.
Broadcasted on BBC One and available on BBC iPlayer, ‘Better’ was a crime thriller that delved into the murky depths of corruption and crime, starring Andrew Buchan as the ruthless Irish gangster Col McHugh and Leila Farzad as the corrupt DI Lou Slack.
Created by Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent, the show was filmed across Leeds and spanned a five-part series that captivated an average of almost four million viewers per episode.
Popular BBC crime drama ‘is axed after just one series’ following shocking affair between the two lead stars https://t.co/JGLxMbupCF pic.twitter.com/3Cl0sGJ8l2
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 17, 2024
While Better had its moments, I believe that the decision by BBC to axe the series is ultimately justified. Despite a promising premise and a talented cast, the show struggled to maintain a consistent pace and often felt bogged down by convoluted plotlines.
Plus, it felt that the series faced challenges in standing out among the saturated market of crime and redemption dramas, failing to offer a unique or compelling enough hook to retain a broad audience.
I am hoping that the decision to discontinue the series allows the BBC to allocate resources towards more innovative and engaging projects that might better capture the viewers’ attention and set new benchmarks for storytelling.
This strategic move means that even popular dramas like Better have to make way, leaving fans disappointed and craving closure for the complex narrative they had begun to follow.
While it’s always disappointing to see a series come to an end, in this case, it seems like a step towards refreshing the network’s lineup with more captivating content.
Recommended Reading
- BBC Acquires Australian Film Studio Behind Hit Series ‘The Newsreader’ on ABC!
- BBC Factual Unveils On Thin Ice: Putin vs. Greenpeace Documentary!
- BBC Drops Trailer, Premiere Date, and More from Steven Knight’s ‘This Town’ Drama!
- Get Ready to Rock: Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA Set to Headline 2024 Glastonbury Festival!
- BBC Plans For Next-Gen AI Integration In ‘Doctor Who’ Universe!
Chris Mack
