The decision to end the long-running BBC series Doctors has sparked outrage among fans and industry professionals alike. Screenwriter Philip Ralph took to social media to express his dismay at the “disastrous” choice to cut the beloved daytime medical drama after 24 years on the air.
Ralph, who has been a writer on the show for nearly two decades, highlighted the impact of the decision on the hundreds of people involved in the production of over 4,500 episodes. Doctors, set in the fictional town of Letherbridge, has been praised as an “actor’s training ground” and has featured well-known stars such as Eddie Redmayne and Sheridan Smith.
In a series of tweets, Ralph lamented the loss of a show that offered a wide range of storytelling, from high drama to farce and everything in between. He also pointed out the challenges facing the creative industries, with many professionals currently out of work.
The BBC cited rising production costs and funding challenges as reasons for ending Doctors, stating that the Drama Village where the show is filmed would require significant investment to continue operating. The decision reflects the tough choices the corporation must make to deliver value to audiences in a financially constrained environment.
As the final episode of Doctors approaches in December, fans and industry insiders are left mourning the loss of a show that has been a staple of daytime television for over two decades. The decision to end Doctors serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the TV industry and the impact of funding constraints on creative content.
