Michelle Keegan's BBC drama cancelled after two series in fresh blow

Michelle Keegan's BBC drama Ten Pound Poms has been axed. The period drama following a group of Britons departing the UK for Australia in the 1950s proved hugely popular with audiences when it launched in 2023.

However, the broadcaster has now revealed that the programme - created by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst - has been axed following two series.

The news arrives as Michelle's other successful show - Brassic - is also nearing its conclusion.

A BBC spokesperson said: "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, 38, portrayed nurse Kate Thorne in Ten Pound Poms, which also starred Warren Brown, Faye Marsay, Rob Collins and David Field.

The programme premiered two years ago, attracting over six million viewers for its first run, with a second series airing earlier this year, reports the Mirror.

TV star Michelle - who became a mum in March when she and husband Mark Wright welcomed baby girl Palma - had previously suggested she would have been keen to film a third series of the popular post-war drama.

"I love this show and I feel very lucky to be a part of it," she told the Radio Times earlier this year.

"I feel like if the audience takes with this season and there's hunger there for another season, fingers crossed the BBC will want another one. I'd definitely be up for it."

Meanwhile, Michelle's programme Brassic, which Brocklehurst developed alongside Joe Gilgun, is poised to conclude following its seventh and ultimate series.

The comedy-drama chronicling a group of mates in the fictional town of Hawley launched in 2019 and has proved a tremendous triumph, yet a choice was taken to wrap up the storyline.

Brocklehurst remarked: "After 50 epic episodes, we are ending Brassic on a high. The series is a huge hit, but Joe Gilgun and myself always said we wanted to leave the party while it was still fun, even if saying goodbye is tough.

"We have a loyal and loving audience and we can't thank them enough for going on this crazy journey with us. At its heart, Brassic is about friendship and love, and that's the spirit we are leaving with."

Brassic airs on Sky and Ten Pound Poms is available on BBC iPlayer.