‘Brief Encounters’ will not be recommissioned for a second series.
The television show – which documented the early years of lingerie company Ann Summers and the rise of the company’s infamous parties – won’t be renewed by ITV, the show’s writers Oriane Messina and Fay Ruslin have confirmed.
A joint statement posted on Twitter reads: "Thanks to the 5 million who spent their six week summer holiday with Brief Encounters. We got drunk together, argued, laughed, cried, got sexy and fell in love.
"Sadly, we won’t be holidaying together next year but we hope you will come with us on our next TV adventure."
Whilst ITV added in a statement: "We have taken the difficult decision not to recommission Brief Encounters for a second series.
"As a broadcaster we seek to commission a diverse range of drama and as a consequence continually refresh our drama portfolio. We’d like to thank the writers Oriane Messina and Fay Rusling, the production team at CPL Productions and the Brief Encounters cast for their commitment and hard work in creating the drama."
Meanwhile, fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment that the female-led period drama – which starred Penelope Wilton, Sharon Rooney and Angela Griffin – had been cancelled.
One wrote: "don’t even bother getting emotionally involved with a tv series on @ITV, they rip out your heart by cancelling the series #briefencounters (sic)"
Whilst another added: "#BriefEncounters So-another brilliant female led drama has fallen foul of @ITV ‘s need to "refresh our drama portfolio" nonsense (sic)"
Fans who are calling for the return of ‘Home Fires’ – which was axed by ITV after two series – have also lent their voices to the campaign to save ‘Brief Encounters’.
A campaign on change.org to ask ITV to reconsider their stance on ‘Home Fires’ has already received over 35,000 signatures.
Brief Encounters axed after one series
