My Family flees the nest: BBC axes long-running sitcom after 11 years on screen

By Daily Mail Reporter


Flying the nest: BBC sitcom My Family has been axed after 11 years


Long-running sitcom hit My Family is to be axed by the BBC after 11 years.

The much-loved series, which stars Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker as Ben and Susan Harper, has run for more than 100 episodes.

But executives thought it was time to move on now the couple's three children have left the family home.

The way they were: Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker starred as the Harpers with Gabriel Thomson, Daniela Denby-Ashe and Kris Marshall as their children


BBC1 controller Danny Cohen said: 'Now that all the Harper children have fled the nest we feel it's time to make room for new comedies on BBC1.'

He said the 11th series, to be screened later this year, will be the final outing.

The show was the launchpad for actor Kris Marshall, well known for his BT ads and his role in movie hit Love Actually.

It has also starred former EastEnders actress Daniela Denby-Ashe.

Moving on: Kris Marshall, who played oldest son Nick, left the show in 2005 and now stars in the BT commercials


Cheryl Taylor, controller of comedy commissioning, said: 'Now that almost a generation of British children have grown up with the Harper brood, played over the years by Kris Marshall, Daniela Denby-Ashe and Gabriel Thompson, we're looking to the future with new families and new comedies that we hope will prove equally popular.'

But Taylor hinted that stars Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker may not have to dust off their resumes just yet.

'We look forward to Zoe and Robert continuing to being part of our comedy family in the years to come,' she said.

Hit show: Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker collected the gong for Best Comedy at the TV Choice Awards in 2007


The series was launched in September 2000 and it was the first BBC sitcom to introduce US production methods such as writing teams, under the stewardship of American creator Fred Barron.

Zoe Wanamaker has made brief appearances in the Harry Potter films as Quidditch coach Madame Hooch, while Lindsay starred in the Hornblower TV movies.

Coronation Street star Sherrie Hewson recently opened up about her romance with the actor during their drama school days in her memoirs.


Cameo: Miss Wanamaker has appeared in the Harry Potter films as Quidditch coach Madame Hooch


She says: 'In my first year at Rada I went to see the second years in Romeo and Juliet - starring a young Robert Lindsay,' she said. 'Watching his passionate portrayal I fell instantly in love.

'He asked me on a date and within weeks we were in love and decided to move in together… in a very shabby flat.'

'We'd been in our little love nest for a year when we decided to get married. I was 20 and Bob was 21 but we thought it was real love and we’d be together for ever.'

But the couple's romance was short-lived, and Hewson recalls being broken hearted when he became distance and the relationship fizzled out.



source:dailymail