Holby City to end

[lobster]

I can’t believe its taken this long, that and Casualty should have been binned years ago, they are just so trite and mundane.

Casualty used to be quite watchable in the “accident of the week” era in the 1990s, it seemed to turn into something so generic that you could completely remove the medical setting and it would still work.

Sad for the people who work on it, but no loss to tv.

[FanOfTV99]

I am sad to hear that Holby is getting the axe. I will always remember the crossovers that Casualty and Holby in 2004/2005 which I was shocked they never brought it back at other times.

I wonder any of the Holby actors will be on Casualty as soon as the show ends.

[valley]

I wonder if the future of Neptune House has anything to do with this?
NH stared construction in 1961 and by now must be expensive to maintain/heat.
Which other departments are in that building (?),it’s a lot of floor space not necessarily laid out for a modern working environment.

As I understand it, the BBC Studioworks offices are there, as well as production offices for Holby City and EastEnders I believe. Other space in that building is available for visiting productions, I know that Strictly has used it when they are filming over the road in GL Stage 2.

[Matrix]

I think there’s two issues at play here.

Firstly, this now frees up a significant chunk of time and money to consider other creative projects - I don’t think it’s an accident that a lot of the messaging is about reflecting the UK. BBC One North anchor drama, anyone?

Secondly, even - or especially at this time - two medical dramas was always going to give a ‘fill’. Admittedly, the original idea of a spill over into more ‘routine’ healthcare but with a similar cast/feel did give space for longer form stories it has become a bit, well, soap-esk.

For my part, I’m rather of the view that all good things should come to an end - especially if there’s already an audience catered for (Casualty) and it gives scope for new projects

[gottago]

What an absolutely stupid decision - as far as I can see ratings are still going strong

The ratings have been poor for years floating between 2 and 2.5m in the overnights.

It’s definitely been coasting along for a very long time. Truly can’t remember the last time I heard anyone talk about it. Sorry for the staff and sad that an opportunity for new writers is lost but hopefully that will be transferred to a new show that’s actually going to watched by bigger audiences.

[Cando]

What an absolutely stupid decision - as far as I can see ratings are still going strong and it's a brilliant show. Why on earth are they cancelling things like Holby and keeping crap such as 'I can see your voice' on air? It just makes absolutely no sense.

Not sure where you heard that. The ratings have been dire for a while. 2m last night

[soupie]

What an absolutely stupid decision - as far as I can see ratings are still going strong

The ratings have been poor for years floating between 2 and 2.5m in the overnights.

It’s definitely been coasting along for a very long time. Truly can’t remember the last time I heard anyone talk about it. Sorry for the staff and sad that an opportunity for new writers is lost but hopefully that will be transferred to a new show that’s actually going to watched by bigger audiences.

It’s been in intensive care itself for a few years. 23 years is not bad though. That’s longer than Brookside and almost as long as the original Crossroads. Must be one of the longest-running spin-offs on British TV ever.

[XIII]

Will be interesting to see if Holby’s replacement is another drama or if the BBC will opted for factual in that slot.

[adamiow]

I find Holby City much more watchable than Casualty, so I am surprised it is not the other way round.

Considering that it will most likely be a lot cheaper to make than multiple drama series that the budget will be reallocated to, it seems like an odd decision and one they know will result in negative publicity, so I do wonder if it is more to mobilise the public against the Government's cuts.

I assume it will be a Waterloo Road style ending, when the school continued after the show ended, as you can't close the hospital but keep the emergency ward open! I wonder if some of the cast will transfer to Casualty, either in the emergency department or guests.

[TVViewer256]

What an absolutely stupid decision - as far as I can see ratings are still going strong and it's a brilliant show. Why on earth are they cancelling things like Holby and keeping crap such as 'I can see your voice' on air? It just makes absolutely no sense.

Not sure where you heard that. The ratings have been dire for a while. 2m last night

Apologies - I wasn't sure about the ratings, but I definitely stand by my point that Holby is much, much better content than some of the other stuff the BBC's putting in primetime, especially on the weekends. There's an argument in saying that I Can See Your Voice has larger viewing figures than Holby, but due to the different days they air you can't compare them.

[UTVLifer]

I wonder if the future of Neptune House has anything to do with this?
NH stared construction in 1961 and by now must be expensive to maintain/heat.
Which other departments are in that building (?),it’s a lot of floor space not necessarily laid out for a modern working environment.

As I understand it, the BBC Studioworks offices are there, as well as production offices for Holby City and EastEnders I believe. Other space in that building is available for visiting productions, I know that Strictly has used it when they are filming over the road in GL Stage 2.

You are correct, and from what I know it's only the top floor of Neptune House that is used for the Holby Sets, apart from the infamous stairwell and the hospital entrance area with the cafe

[VMPhil]

Just in time for Eldorado to make a triumphant return for its 30th anniversary!

EDIT: 30th not 20th :o

[johnnyboy]

Just in time for Eldorado to make a triumphant return for its 20th anniversary!

Yes please.

I still can't think of Alan Yentob without muttering a swear word under my breath.

Eldorado was great in the last six months of its run.

It's never coming back though

[Keith]

I find Holby City much more watchable than Casualty, so I am surprised it is not the other way round.

I think the answer has a bit to do with the following...
- Casulty: Filmed in Wales
- Holby City: Filmed in Elstree (inside the M25 belt)

As a side note I believe Doctors is filmed in the BBC Drama Village in/near Birmingham.

[XIII]

Doctors is also relatively inexpensive to make and still rates well so it's probably safe.