Holby City’s sacked stars set to sue BBC after show axed
HOLBY City stars are set to sue the BBC for axing the hit show which they thought would run for years to come.
The hospital drama’s final episode aired on Tuesday night — just hours before it was nominated for a Bafta.
Bosses sent cast and crew an email suggesting they could now enjoy “a well-deserved break.”
Many actors believe the show was not promoted enough by the BBC despite getting the same viewing figures as EastEnders, screened on the same evening.
A TV insider said: “It was the way in which it came to a close which seems to have angered people. Many feel betrayed.
“At no point were they warned Holby would be pulled, otherwise they would have considered other job offers.
“They thought they had security and career development. The feeling was that the show — a favourite for 23 years — just fizzled out with little consideration for the people put out of work.”
The source added: “Many actors involved in the potential legal action feel they gave up secure work to move to a show which looked like it could run for another 23 years.”
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The BBC announced ten months ago that it was being axed as part of a drive under new Director General Tim Davie to make more dramas outside the South of England.
And since Holby was a sister show to Casualty — set in the same Bristol hospital — there was a feeling there was already an element of duplication.
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The email sent to staff this week did not go down well.
The source said: “Some people have been working most of their adult lives on the show and are now jobless and worried about feeding their families.
“They are hardly relishing a ‘break’ from work.”
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BBC Studios said: “We are proud of Holby City.
“The passion and commitment of the cast and crew right up to the final days of filming was incredible — as anyone who watched Tuesday’s farewell will confirm.”