Being Human axed by BBC

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/feb/07/being-human-axed-bbc

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BBC3 supernatural drama Being Human's fifth series, which began on Sunday, will be the last, the BBC has announced.

Being Human, created by Toby Whithouse and featuring a "supernatural trinity" of a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost, has been one of the channel's most popular shows.

But original cast members including Russell Tovey, Aidan Turner and Lenora Crichlow have left and it recently returned for its fifth run with its lowest launch audience since its full series debut in 2009. However, Being Human remains one of BBC3's top-rating shows.

Rob Pursey, executive producer and managing director of the show's production company, Touchpaper, said: "Working on Being Human has been a truly great experience. From the first one-hour pilot, all the way through to this climactic series, we've been given real creative freedom and encouragement.

"It's a credit to BBC3 that such an unusual idea has been allowed to flourish and evolve in its own unique way.

"Being Human has also opened the door to new acting talent, including some incredibly exciting younger actors, which is a legacy we all feel proud of. We will miss Being Human, but feel inspired that there is a place for series like this on British television."

The series was developed from a one-hour pilot that was broadcast in 2008. The final series will end with a confrontation with the "ultimate evil".

Being Human has featured guest stars including Mark Gatiss, Mark Williams, Lacey Turner and Robson Green and currently features Damien Molony, Michael Socha and Kate Bracken in the three leading roles.

BBC3 controller Zai Bennett said: "Being Human has been a fantastic and faithful friend to BBC3.

"It's featured some truly exceptional actors and storylines through the years and I'd like to thank Toby and the production team for their vision and passion.

"However, all good things come to an end and at BBC3 we're committed to breaking new shows and new talent and who better to pass that baton on than Toby."

Being Human returned for its final series on Sunday with 731,000 viewers, down on the 1.1 million viewers who watched the fourth series launch last year and the 1.37 million who watched series three begin in 2011.

The highest launch show ratings to date was the 1.41 million viewers who watched its second run begin in 2010.

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