Popular BBC drama axed after three on air – as bosses confirm film crew have been ‘stood down’
POPULAR BBC comedy-drama The Scotts has been cancelled after three series.
A fourth series was in the works, but all production has now been halted, according to the broadcaster.
BBC mockumentary The Scotts is officially coming to an end after three series.
The show is a spoof reality series which shadows the lives of “a typical Scottish family” in Glasgow.
It ran for 18 episodes from 2020 to 2023 and was created by stars Robert Florence and Iain Connell who play squabbling brothers Vincent and Henry Scott.
In the series, the duo is joined by Stevens & McCarthy star Louise McCarthy who plays their sister Colette.
Sharon Young, Shauna MacDonald, Taylor Stewart, Lee Greig, Amy Leith, Barbara Rafferty and stand-up Jamie MacDonald round out the main cast.
After the news broke that the show would be ending after three series, Robert directed fans to catch up on the Scott family drama in iPlayer.
“I loved doing this. It’s nice that you can catch it all from start to finish whenever you like,” he wrote on social media.
“Pilot is a bit patchy, still finding our feet. Gets better as it goes. Amazing cast made all the difference. It was fun!” Robert added.
Devastated fans of the show quickly responded to Robert’s post begging for a fourth series.
In the comments, one said: “Sad it’s finished, was really looking forward to Collette’s wedding. That would have been hilarious.”
“The pilot episode is one of my favourites, was delighted when it got added to the iPlayer,” another fan replied.
Meanwhile, a third called it the “best Scottish sitcom since Still Game.”
Sadly, fans won’t be getting their wish anytime soon as a BBC Scotland spokesperson confirmed to British Comedy Guide that production of a fourth series has officially been halted.
However, they also noted that the door is still open for the dysfunctional Glaswegian dynasty to return for further episodes in the future.
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Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
“The Scotts won’t be returning for a fourth series this year,” they confirmed.
“We’ve stood down the film crew that followed one of Scotland’s most outrageous families … for now, at least.
“In the meantime, there are lots of new comedy series to look forward to in the coming months with Stevens & McCarthy, Only Child and The Chief on the horizon.”
Happily for fans of Robert and Iain, the long-time collaborators are continuing to work together as they are reprising their roles from the cult BBC sketch show Burnistoun which they created together in 2009.
Burnistoun ended in 2019, but Robert and Iain will return as popular characters Peter and Scott for four work-in-progress live shows at the Barras Art And Design venue in Glasgow, beginning on Friday 20 September.
They are also reportedly developing storylines for a potential spin-off film.
Speaking to BCG in 2021, Florence revealed that the film’s working title was Peter & Scott’s Dark Night Of The Soul.
All episodes of The Scotts and Burnistoun are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.