So it’s bad news for Cape Wrath fans looking for any answers as to what Meadowlands really is - and why it is in the middle of the desert. A source at Channel 4 tells me it won’t be returning for a second series. She said the show had been seen as something as an “experiment” for the broadcaster, but added audiences had not been as good as they had hoped they would be for the Ecosse production, meaning all the loose ends will have to remain untied for now.
It seems viewers weren’t enticed by the half British, half American show, which had a whiff of Twin Peaks about it and which tried its hardest to be as weird as possible. The actors did a good job too — notably Lucy Cohu as Evelyn. However, all is not lost, as the Channel 4 source said there was a new drama series in the pipeline, which will be announced shortly. Let’s hope it’s as wacky and wonderful as Cape Wrath.
Meanwhile, over on the BBC, stars of Jekyll are waiting with baited breath to hear whether they will be coming together again for a second run of the supernatural drama. Linda Marlowe, who appeared in the show as both Jackman’s mum and Ms Utterson (a casting sneakily kept secret through giving her two separate credits), told The Stage she was waiting to hear whether the show would be coming back. Those of you wanting more had better keep your fingers crossed!
And while we’re talking about drama, it has come to my attention that ITV has dropped a one-off film about the Marchioness disaster. Despite costing £2 million to make, ITV bosses had some issues about the production, including the last scene where some of the characters turn and talk to the camera directly. ITV’s outgoing head of drama Nick Elliott told this year’s Edinburgh television festival: “I don’t believe any drama I am interested in ends like that.” He also said: “I have always had certain problems about the writing and production of this film and we do not feel those creative issues have been resolved.” However, the decision not to show the drama has been criticised by relatives of those who died in the disaster and who want the programme to be broadcast. The fact it cost £2 million should be reason enough for ITV to show it. Can they really afford to waste such huge amounts of cash?
