‘Ripper Street’ could return in new funding deal

Axed BBC One drama Ripper Street could yet be revived with the news that Tiger Aspect, the producers of the Victorian crime drama, is said to be in talks with video on demand service LoveFilm, about potentially becoming a funding partner for a new series.

The series starring, Matthew MacFadyen, Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg, ran for two series with fans surprised and disappointed to hear of the BBC’s decision to axe the show citing the 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”.  The news prompted fans to launch an online petition to keep the show alive with nearly 14,000 signatures.

The Guardian reports, a deal with LoveFilm – the video on demand service owned by Amazon – would fund a third series to premiere online, with the BBC airing the series shortly after with an option for a fourth series if successful. The deal would be the first time an established UK TV drama has been majority funded by LoveFilm and would be a groundbreaking move for TV funding.

A Tiger Aspect spokesman said, “The creative team have great vision and high ambition for future series of Ripper Street. It would of course be marvellous to find a route to make these plans reality.”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC is looking at partnerships that could enable Ripper Street to return but at better value to licence fee payers.”