Cancellation Watch: BBC Cancels Atlantis and In the Flesh

There have been no cancellations during the 2014-15 season for U.S. genre shows yet (though several are on the way), but across the Atlantic the BBC has axed two just recently.  Fantasy series Atlantis and zombie entry In the Flesh have both received their walking papers.   Each series had reached its second season, but neither will see a third short of a successful “Save My Show” campaign or pickup by one of the streaming services (Amazon grabbed BBC’s cancelled Ripper Street last year).

Atlantis premiered on BBC One in September of 2013 in the Doctor Who lead-out slot to high viewership, though its numbers dropped falling the debut.  It also performed well early during its BBC America, but saw its numbers drop off notably during its second season.  The network decision came in part because they claim they need to “keep increasing the range of BBC One drama”.  The same was said about In the Flesh, which pulled only moderate viewership through its two seasons, though that show was also impacted by budget cuts at BBC Three where it aired.  The network stated on Twitter that “Given there is only budget for one original drama series a year on the channel it won’t be returning”.

The second half of Atlantis‘ second season will air in the Spring and In the Flesh wrapped up in June of last year.  British shows do not typically run as long as those in the States, though with only nine episodes the latter series did not get the opportunity to wrap up all its storylines.  And it remains to be seen if Atlantis will be able to offer a finale that is satisfying to its fans.