BBC Axes Long-Running Medical Drama ‘Holby City’ After 23 Years

The BBC has pulled the plug on long-running medical drama “Holby City” after 23 years.

In a statement, the corporation hinted that it was bringing the program to an end in March 2022 in order to foster new programs across the country. Earlier this year, the BBC unveiled a six-year plan that will see the broadcaster expand key services outside of London and further afield in the U.K. with a pot of $978 million set aside for the undertaking. “Holby City” is filmed at BBC Elstree Centre, which is located in Borehamwood, just north of London.

“We are incredibly proud of ‘Holby City’ but it’s with great sadness that we are announcing that after 23 years, the show will end on screen in March of next year,” reads a BBC statement shared with Variety.

“We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new opportunities and as part of the BBC’s commitment to make more programs across the U.K., we have taken the difficult decision to bring the show to a close in order to reshape the BBC’s drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing team at BBC Studios and all the cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 1999.

“‘Holby’ has been a stalwart with audiences, delighting millions of viewers each week and winning hundreds of awards with a compelling mix of cutting edge medical stories and explosive personal stories. We look forward to working with the team over the coming months to ensure that when it ends, ‘Holby’ goes out on a high.”

“Holby City” follows the staff at the fictional Holby City Hospital, and has run for 23 seasons in a weekly primetime slot. Tony McHale was the series’ lead writer and was the first British scribe to serve as a showrunner on a primetime drama — a model that’s popular in the U.S. but still in its early years in the U.K. The show has also provided a crucial training ground for up-and-coming British writing talent, alongside new producers and directors.