'Bancroft' has been cancelled after two series.
Sarah Parish
The drama - which starred Sarah Parish as crooked cop Elizabeth Bancroft - won't be returning for a third season, as ITV bosses decided the story had "reached its natural conclusion".
A spokeswoman told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: "We felt the series had reached its natural conclusion with Elizabeth Bancroft going to jail.
"She’d reached the peak of her evilness. We really appreciated the series achieved a loyal audience and was produced, written and performed brilliantly.”
The second series aired earlier this year over a three-night slot, and pulled in around three million viewers despite returning on New Year's Day (01.01.20).
Although bosses feel 'Bancroft' has run its course, showrunner Kate Brooke had an idea for a potential third series.
She said: "I have got a season three in… We've discussed it a bit as well. It's definitely in my head.
"If we get a season three, we will continue to investigate that backstory of [Elizabeth’s]. And I think it's something that we can drip through because people do become people.”
Kate revealed at the time that she was interested in exploring the idea of the nature versus nurture elements of psychopathy.
She added: "There's a lot of research on that, that you don't get born a psychopath.
"You know, it's all about your environment, and what happens to bits of your brain that develop at different times."
Lead actress Sarah previously admitted she was "thrilled" to be taking on the role again.
She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be returning to the role of Bancroft and inhabiting her complex life which Kate [Brooke] has crafted so well.
"Bancroft is such a contentious anti-heroine and as a character she offers me so much to work with. Manipulative and strategic with her thinking, she knows how to get what she wants."
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