In a surprising move by the BBC, In the Flesh, the network’s original zombie drama, will not be getting a third series. Instead, they’re adding a new zombie show to their lineup.
In a statement released Friday, the BBC claims, “BBC Three is very proud of the two award-winning series of In the Flesh. However, given there is only budget for one original drama series a year on the channel it won’t be returning.
“We loved the show but have to make hard choices to bring new shows through and create room for emerging talent. Huge thanks to the BAFTA award-winning writer Dominic Mitchell and the superb cast.”
Sad news today. I'd like to thank the BBC, the incredible cast & crew and the amazing fans for making & supporting #InTheFlesh
— Dominic Mitchell (@DomMitchell) January 16, 2015
And curiously enough, this new show that will be replacing In The Flesh will be… a zombie themed reality show. Yes, you read that right, BBC Three is canceling a hugely popular zombie drama to make room for fake reality. What is this show, you might ask? I Survived a Zombie Apocalypse will be pitting “eight contestants through a zombie apocalypse. Trapped in a shopping mall and surrounded by the walking dead the participants must live by their wits using urban survival tactics to avoid the lethal bite of a zombie.”
Because clearly what the public wants to see is more reality television instead of groundbreaking, unique and relevant dramas.
For those who aren’t aware, In the Flesh is a thrilling new take on the zombie apocalypse. Instead of consisting entirely of hoards of brain eating zombies (though there are plenty of those), the show revolves around the concept that zombies can be rehabilitated with the proper medication. That, combined with the proper makeup, means that the now dead humans are able to integrate into living society.
The show followed Kieran, a gay teen who had killed himself, and his return to his hometown filled with anti-zombie lobbyists.
This move is a curious one, as fans all over the world have grown to love the series, and it’s one of the BBC’s more successful ventures. Although rumors of the cancellation have been spreading since we haven’t heard much about a third series, fans were hopeful that they’d get to see how the rest of the show played out.
Now our only hope is for outlets like Netflix or Amazon to pick it up where series 2 left off.