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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Seamus Duff

BBC 'axes' hit crime drama ahead of release of third season leaving fans shaken

The BBC has announced the end of one of their current crime shows - that stars Line of Duty villain Mark Bonnar.

Guilt has been a hit for BBC Scotland - landing a string of award nominations, reaching an international audience, and even spawning an Indian remake.

But the show will be ending in the coming months as the Beeb and Guilt creator Neil Forsyth have confirmed that the third season will be its last.

The series follows brothers Max and Jake - played by Mark Bonnar, who was known for playing corrupt copper DCC Mike Dryden in Line of Duty, and Jamie Sives - who cover up a hit and run crime.

BBC series Guilt is coming to an end (BBC/Expectation/Happy Tramp North)

But now the show is set to reach a full conclusion - leaving fans distressed, but excited, over the coming end.

Show creator Neil - who has penned other TV hits including Eric, Ernie and Me and The Gold - took to Twitter to share a promotional snap of Mark and Jamie in character as Max and Jake to highlight the upcoming series.

He wrote: “Look at these two beauties. 3rd and final series of Guilt: April 25th BBC Scotland 10pm. April 27th BBC2 9pm. All episodes on iPlayer from the 25th. First two series on iPlayer now. #Guilt.”

Meanwhile Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland, opened up to The Sun about the decision to wind down the series.

She told the publication: “We are incredibly proud of Guilt.

The show stars Line of Duty actor Mark Bonnar as Max (BBC/Expectation/Happy Tramp North)

"It was the first drama commission for the BBC Scotland channel in 2019 and we have been delighted with how it has been received by our audiences.

"To be able to bring it back for a third and final time gives us the chance to wrap up the story of Max and Jake which we know will involve some hair-raising and edge-of-the-seat moments that the audience has come to expect.”

Fans of Guilt have had a mixed reaction about the upcoming end of the show - with many managing to look beyond the disappointing news that the show will end.

One excited fan tweeted: “cracking series. can't wait for the end. loved every single ep of this and can't wait.”

And another typed: “Already excited for this. So glad we're getting another series.”

Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio is a fan of Guilt (Getty Images)

Guilt has so far been nominated for a Royal Television Society of Scotland Awards, Celtic Media Festival, and Broadcast Digital Awards - and even won 2020 Best Drama at the Scottish BAFTA Awards.

Meanwhile, Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio revealed he was an early fan of the series - tweeting back in 2019 when the show first aired that it was “the week’s top telly."

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