BBC axes sitcom after mixed reviews in 'sign of how brutal the comedy landscape is right now' - and fans will be gutted
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The BBC has axed a sitcom after receiving mixed reviews in a 'sign of how brutal the comedy landscape is right now'.
Fashion comedy Spent - created by Michelle de Swarte - hit BBC Two back in July 2024.
The six-part series follows the life of a woman called Mia who flees to London after being made bankrupt in the US.
But after just one series, the show has been given the cut.
A TV source told The Sun: 'The culling just shows how brutal comedy is right now.
'There’s no time for slow burners, each series has to be a hit straight away or it’s in big trouble.
The BBC has axed a sitcom after receiving mixed reviews in a 'sign of how brutal the comedy landscape is right now'
Fashion comedy Spent - created by Michelle de Swarte - hit BBC Two back in July 2024
'Spent got some mixed reviews and many critics thought it had promise, but the Beeb clearly sided with those who felt it was fairly drab.'
'High fashion, low funds. Model Mia may have a world class skincare regime but the catwalk queen’s career has crashed down to earth.
'Uplifting comedy drama with Michelle de Swarte,' the Beeb's official synopsis reads.
Spent stars the likes of creator Michelle de Swarte as Mia, Amanda Wilkin as Jo, Karl Collins as Teddy, Juliet Cowan as Chrissy, Matt King as Mills and Eleanor Nawal as Ella.
Those who rushed online to share their rave reviews will be upset about the news.
One wrote on IMDB: 'I watch Spent in about two sittings and as a big Michelle de Swarte fan I expected big things and I wasn't disappointed.'
'I really hope there's a second series.'
'This show is brilliant, I found it purely by accident when I was scrolling through looking for something a bit funny to pass half an hour, I was hooked immediately by some great writing, and a hugely likeable cast.'
Spent stars the likes of creator Michelle de Swarte (pictured) as Mia, Amanda Wilkin as Jo, Karl Collins as Teddy, Juliet Cowan as Chrissy, Matt King as Mills and Eleanor Nawal as Ella
'Great show with a simple concept but beautifully complicated characters.'
Meanwhile others weren't impressed, with one writing: 'Annoying and poorly executed.'
'There goes six hours of my life I'll ever get back, the series was unresolved and I doubt there will be a second series of this trash.'
This isn't the only programme that has been axed in recent days.
Earlier this month it was revealed that BBC drama Ten Pound Poms has been axed after two series.
The 1950s-set series first hit screens in 2023 and draw in impressive ratings, but its second run earlier this year drew in half of the viewership.
The axe comes as the seventh and final series of Michelle's Sky comedy Brassic has also hit screens, with its final episode set to air at the end of this month.
The show followed a group of British citizens who emigrated from post-war Britain to Australia in the 1950s, with Michelle playing nurse Kate Thorne.
Following a report by The Sun, a BBC spokesperson confirmed Ten Pound Poms' axe to Daily Mail, saying: 'It's been a joy to bring the story of the Ten Pound Poms to life for BBC viewers and we are really grateful to Danny Brocklehurst, Eleven and all the cast and crew who have worked on the series.'
Michelle had previously shared interest in returning for a third series, but admitted at the time that since she'd recently given birth to her baby daughter Palma, there may be a delay before she was available for filming.
The show, which was filmed in Australia, previously required Michelle to relocate Down Under for several months for production.
