ITV drops Drama Queens after one series

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief

Published: September 7 2024 | 20:08

Last updated: September 11 2024 | 23:28

Drama Queens is dropped by ITV after one series due to low ratings and high production costs.

ITV has axed soap-based reality show Drama Queens after just one series, it has emerged.

Launched earlier this year on ITVBe, the eight-part programme followed the personal lives of some of the UK's top soap actresses, including Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon, Hollyoaks star Jamelia and Emmerdale's Amy Walsh.

According to The Sun, however, the broadcaster has decided not to proceed with a second series due to a combination of underwhelming ratings and expensive production costs.

An ITV source told the newspaper: "Drama Queens was launched amid a lot of excitement and fanfare, but proved logistically quite difficult and expensive to make.

"Luring the talent to open up about their personal lives was costly and they all had busy filming schedules for their various acting jobs and family commitments.

"Plus the soap fanbase didn't translate to automatic audiences as reality viewers tend to be quite a younger demographic.

"In the end producers decided it was best to leave it as a one off series and focus on new projects and trial new formats."

AnITV spokesman said: "There are no current plans for a second series of Drama Queens but the first series is available for viewers to enjoy on ITVX, and we wouldn't rule out revisiting the show in the future."