No Season 3 for 'Ripper Street' starring Matthew Macfadyen as BBC cancels series

Bad news today for fans of Ripper Street starring Matthew Macfadyen (as Inspector Edmund Reid). BBC axed the Victorian-era drama and will not return for a third season after not pulling sufficient ratings numbers for BBC One in the UK. No wonder BBC America, who was supposed to air it this past Sunday, December 1st, has quietly delayed (and probably may not even air) Season 2 here in the U.S. until an unspecified date in 2014.

UK fans, If you love this series and disagree with BBC's decision to cancel the show, let BBC know by doing the following:

You can contact Feedback on Radio 4 to complain about axing of #RipperStreet by email: feedback@bbc.co.uk or phone: 03 333 444 544

You can call the BBC on 03700 100 222* press 1 and leave complaint about axing of #RipperStreet. (*charged as 01/02 no.)

All Ripper Street Fans: You can sign a petition here and follow @SaveRipperSt

Here's more details via Deadline:

‘Ripper Street’ Cancelled By BBC After 2nd Season Ratings Drop In UK

Victorian-era drama Ripper Street will not return for a 3rd season after failing to pull sufficient numbers for BBC One. A spokesperson tells Deadline, “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.” The eight-part crime series that’s a co-production with BBC America, stars Matthew Macfadyen, Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg. It’s set in 1889 London in the aftermath of the Jack The Ripper murders. The action centers on the H Division group of detectives who investigated the murders and tried to keep the peace in a panicked section of east London. Season 1 debuted in the UK in late 2012 and on BBC America in early 2013. Its first BBC One season started out strong and ended up averaging about 5M over the initial run. Season 2 kicked off in the UK in October, but last Monday’s episode was down to 3.26M for a 13% share. This season, it’s had to contend with airing up against ITV’s hit reality show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which last week hit a low of 8.21M. Word of Ripper Street‘s cancellation was met with upset in the UK, where twitter was vocal about the decision. Actor Flynn told BBC radio, …Read More here!