Screenwriter slams Doctors axing as filming ends

The daytime drama, which has been on air for 24 years and produced in Birmingham, is ceasing due to escalating drama production costs, according to the BBC.

The last episode will broadcast in December.

Philip Ralph, a writer with the show for 19 years, voiced his objections on the social media platform X, the new name for Twitter, calling the cancellation a "disastrous decision."

Ralph highlighted the show's 24-year history, over 4,500 episodes, and the thousands of individuals it employed. He emphasized how it served as a unique platform for varied storytelling and was significant for the creative industry.

The series, which follows the lives of a Midlands GP practice, has been a stepping stone for many famous actors, including Eddie Redmayne and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Ralph pointed to the wider implications for those in creative jobs, referencing a survey indicating 68% of BECTU union members are currently unemployed. With "Doctors" ending, a vital opportunity in the industry disappears.

Regarding the show's cancellation, the BBC has expressed the need for either further investment in the current production location or a move to a new site. The BBC cited budget constraints and the importance of delivering value to audiences as reasons for the show's end.