ITV Press Release
Published: Tue 03 Jun 2014
ITV announces Law & Order: UK is to take a break from our screens
Bradley Walsh to leave after eight successful series.
The final episode of series 8 of Law & Order: UK scheduled for Wednesday 11 June (9pm on ITV) will be the last to be transmitted for the foreseeable future, ITV and producers Kudos announced today.
The hugely popular series starring Bradley Walsh, Ben Bailey Smith, Peter Davison, Georgia Taylor and Dominic Rowan is to be rested by the channel.
“There may well come a time when we re-visit Law & Order: UK,” said ITV’s Director of Drama Commissioning Steve November. “For the moment we’ll be resting the series whilst we continue to refresh our drama slate,” he added.
The move coincides with Bradley Walsh’s decision to depart the successful crime drama to pursue other projects, both in drama and entertainment.
“Ronnie Brooks is one of my best friends,” said Bradley. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to inhabit Ronnie’s Mac for as long as I have. Eight series is a wonderful achievement for everyone involved in the production. This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I hope one day to revisit him, but for now I’d like the opportunity to pursue other drama projects which ITV are developing,” he added.
“Don’t forget you have one more chance to watch Ronnie in action on 11 June. I’d really love fans of the series, old and new, to watch the final episode to give the series a fitting and proper send off.”
Created by acclaimed US show runner Dick Wolf and based on the US franchise, Law & Order is one of the most successful American primetime television franchises and has become a firm favourite with the ITV audience since first broadcasting in 2009.
Law & Order: UK is produced by Kudos, a Shine Group company, Wolf Films and NBC Universal, with Executive Producers Jane Featherstone and Alison Jackson on behalf of Kudos and Dick Wolf for Wolf Films with Jane Dauncey producing series 8.
“It’s been a privilege for Kudos to produce Law & Order: UK over the last eight series,” said Jane Featherstone. “It’s success and huge audience appeal over all of these years is a testament to the cast, crew and production team who have worked tirelessly to bring such great drama to air,” said Jane.
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I thought I'd keep my comments separate from the press release; I will truly miss Bradley Walsh. He's made Ronnie Brooks one of my top favorite characters of all the Law & Order brand shows.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I also hope that the show does return; my wish is sooner rather than later! They've done a great job re-imagining some of the classic Law & Order stories and I've enjoyed this show immensely.
I share your pain. :(
ReplyDeleteThis news breaks my heart a little. I loved the Law & Order "mothership" and Law & Order UK filled that spot nicely. It is far better than SVU these days. Kudos to Kudos Prod. who put out a high quality show and I hope that Law & Order UK will resurface and bit be gone forever. Bradley Walsh leaving is a huge blow to the show so it could be that they need a lot more time to find a good replacement for him. It will be difficult to find someone who can fill his shows.
ReplyDeleteUgh. What a bummer :(
ReplyDeleteWhat?! NO!!!!
ReplyDeleteNow this makes me really anxious to see "Repeat to Fade." Obviously "Marathon" (on which it is based) ends with Lennie affirming his awesomeness on the job but I'm wondering if the UK twist will be Ronnie going in the other direction and retiring. It would be super-odd for that episode to end with him staying on the job, now knowing Walsh has decided to depart.
ReplyDeleteJust a shame.
Yes,whatever the ratings,it was better written than season 15 SVU.
ReplyDeleteThis is a big blow to the show, But like the original (and maybe several of it's other carnations) there have been great cast members that have left the show. Ronnie was the biggest attraction (I was disappointed when Freema Agyeman left, such a loss). Hopefully ITV picks up the series quickly because I can't get enough of this show. It would be cool if Matt Smith could be on the lineup lol. I know David Tennant is doing broadchurch these days. I am also wanting a crossover with the SVU team. I'm thinking that it would be cool.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, there doesn't seem to be a reason for pulling the plug on this series because there are still more adaptations to be made and there is still a significant amount of ratings to warrant further productions. UK Television is so much better than the crap we are stuck with down here in america.