BBC dramas face the axe

The broadcaster is to cancel several long-running shows...

17:28 13 January 2010

Some of the corporation's long-running dramas could be cancelled in a bid to free up schedules and money for new productions, it has been announced.

Speaking at a conference, drama commissioning controller at the BBC, Ben Stephenson, said the strategy was a "huge risk" and "terrifying decision" but wouldn't name which shows were for the chop.

However, it is reported that popular shows 'Casualty', 'Holby City' and 'Waterloo Road' will be safe from the firing line.

The news came as the new spring/summer 2010 scheduling was announced.

'Doctor Who's Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston lead the new drama line-up.  

Piper stars in Kay Mellor's 'A Passionate Woman', a BBC One drama about the life of Betty, a wife and mother who falls madly in love with her Polish neighbour with disastrous consequences. The show also stars 'The Royle Family's Sue Johnston.

While former Time Lord Christopher Eccleston takes on the role of John Lennon in 'Lennon Naked' on BBC Four, which follows Lennon's transition from a Beatle and explores his relationship with Yoko Ono.

Another series of Doctor Who is also set to run, starring Matt Smith as the new man in the Tardis as well as the final series of 'Ashes to Ashes' which will finally unravel the mystery behind the story.

BBC Two will run a series of 80s inspired dramas including an adaptation Martin Amis's novel 'Money', a darkly comic tale of greed and excess, starring Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost. Abi Morgan's 'Royal Wedding' will also hit screen, which tells the story about life in a Welsh village at the time of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer's wedding, as will 'Dive', which is the first scripted drama about Olympic hopefuls Dominic Savage.

A third series of BBC Three's 'Being Human' has also been commissioned for autumn, after the second series debuted to a strong audience.