Beloved BBC series' comeback axed as viewers left fuming

BBC viewers have been left disappointed after the broadcaster scrapped plans for a highly anticipated reboot. The acclaimed science fiction comedy Red Dwarf aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and promised to reunite the cast for an all-new and exciting series. Created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, the show followed low-ranking technician Dave Lister (played by Craig Charles), who wakes up after being in suspended animation for three million years to discover that he is the last living human being.

The show became a success as it followed Dave's experience alone and stranded three million years into deep space on the mining ship Red Dwarf. When it premiered, the comedy was highly acclaimed by fans and critics. It won several awards, including an International Emmy, and was named the Best BBC Comedy Series at the British Comedy Awards in 1994. At its finale, Red Dwarf attracted more than eight million viewers, as many fans continue to share their admiration for the "must-watch" series.

Despite its loyal fans, its creators have revealed that Red Dwarf will not be returning to screens with a fresh instalment.

Doug announced the devastating news in a Reddit Q&A thread about the fan-favourite show.

He explained: "Back in January 2023, I went in for a meeting with UKTV who said they wanted to progress a new 90-minute Red Dwarf special. The cast were all on board and I was told to start writing.

"Several months later, things were progressing and I had got two-thirds of the way through the script, I had just signed my writer's contract, when I got an e-mail from UKTV who said they had difficult news to share.

"They were no longer going to commission scripted comedy, including the RD special, which I hadn't yet sent them."

Fans quickly expressed their disappointment as one fumed: "Well, that's my week ruined, and it's not even 10am on Monday morning."

"Won't lie, this has saddened me," added another,

A third fumed: "This sucks. Hopefully, the BBC pick up the rights and bring back Red Dwarf if Dave is unwilling to bring it back. Especially with how big of a deal it was when they brought all the episodes to BBC IPlayer and the big Blu Ray boxset they're releasing soon, surely they should see the audience is there and wants more."

The writer also provided fans insight into the storyline and shared: "The script involved Lister going back in time to help his 23-year-old self-escape from stasis.

"He and a reluctant younger Lister would go on the run as Lister was trying to give his younger self a more fulfilled life.

"Meanwhile, Rimmer teams up with his younger self to hunt them down on behalf of JMC," Doug added.