Talks to save Victorian crime drama

The BBC One show, which stars Matthew Macfadyen and Jerome Flynn as detectives in Victorian-era east London, was axed last week with the BBC saying it had failed to bring in big enough audiences.

However, production firm Tiger Aspect is reported to be in talks with video on demand service LoveFilm about making a third series which would premiere online before being shown by the BBC.

A spokesman for the firm said: “The creative team have great vision and high ambition for future series of Ripper Street. It would of course be marvellous to find a route to make these plans reality.”

Mr Flynn said last week that the cast and team were “in a state of a shock”, although he still hoped drama chiefs would change their minds.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC is looking at partnerships that could enable Ripper Street to return but at better value to licence fee payers.”