Soap fans confused why Holby was axed after BAFTA nomination

(Image credit: BBC)

published 30 March 2022

Holby City has been nominated for a BAFTA just one day after its final-ever episode aired, leaving fans baffled by the popular show's axing.

Holby's recent BAFTA nomination has viewers stumped by a valid conundrum—why on earth has such a popular series been cancelled?

The British television drama, which aired its farewell episode on BBC One last night, has now been announced as a candidate for the award of Soap and Continuing Drama. It faces competition from its spin-off, Casualty, as well as TV veterans, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, both of which have claimed the prize multiple times in years bygone.

A win for Holby would mark the program's second BAFTA, after 23 years and over 1,000 episodes on the small screen. The verdict will be revealed on 8 May, when the glitzy awards show is held at Royal Albert Hall.

LONDON - APRIL 20: Writer Tony McHale (L) poses with cast (from 4th R) Jaye Jacobs, Amanda Mealing, Hugh Quarshie and Robert Powell in front of the winners boards with the Continuing Drama Award for 'Holby City' at the British Academy Television Awards 2008 supported by Sky+ at the Palladium on April 20, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) — Holby City won its first and only BAFTA in 2008

News of Holby City's cancellation by the BBC last June stunned fans, sparking widespread outrage as fans desperately sought answers for the sudden axing. A petition to save the show received over 43k signatures, but ultimately failed to change the minds of TV bosses.

Holby's BAFTA nod, while undeniably welcomed by viewers, has only inflamed frustrations. Several fans of the series have taken to Twitter to vent their thoughts about the irony of the scrapped medical show's nomination.

There's a certain 🙃 to #HolbyCity being up for a TV Bafta a day after its last ever episode aired, following it being axedMarch 30, 2022

Holby is nominated for a BAFTA but Eastenders haven’t, yeah the BBC made a great decision cancelling Holby #HolbyCityMarch 30, 2022

Why was Holby City axed?

Just one statement from the BBC explaining Holby City's axing has been released, leaving many fans itching for more details.

In June 2021, the national broadcaster announced the news with the following message:

"We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new opportunities and as part of the BBC's commitment to make more programmes across the UK, 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."

According to David Ames, who plays Holby's hunky consultant general Dominic Copeland, the statement had also taken the cast completely by surprise.

"Normally you hear a little rumbling somewhere. Somebody will know something," he told TV host Lorraine on Tuesday. "No one knew a thing. It was just one of those things."

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Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.