BBC axes Ripper Street due to low ratings

The drama will not return for a third series

Adam Rothenberg, Matthew MacFayden and Jerome Flynn star in Ripper Street (BBC)

BBC One period drama Ripper Street has been axed due to poor ratings, the BBC has confirmed.

The second series of the drama received disappointing ratings after being pitted against ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in the TV schedule.

Ripper Street debuted to almost 8 million viewers in 2013, but its latest episode on Monday 2 December drew just 3.3 million.

A BBC spokesman said: “We are very proud of Ripper Street which has enjoyed two highly ambitious series on BBC One.

“However, the second series didn't bring the audience we hoped and in order to make room for creative renewal and new ideas it won't be returning.”

But fans have argued the BBC’s decision to move Ripper Street from a Sunday to Monday night has caused the ratings to decline.

Breaking the news on BBC London radio, actor Jerome Flynn urged commissioners to reconsider.

“We’re all in absolute shock because it’s a wonderful job and we feel like it’s kind of this unfinished work. So we’re hoping it will turn around if anyone from the BBC is listening.

“It’s one of the most captivating characters I’ve played, and also been part of in terms of the story, so it is suddenly like a marriage being broken.”

The period crime drama, which also stars Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg, is set in Whitechapel in London’s East End.

The decision to axe the drama comes weeks after ITV announced the end of Whitechapel, about a modern crime unit investigating murders in east London.

A change.org petition has been launched to save the drama following yesterday’s announcement, attracting 2,000 signatures so far.