Cuffs is cancelled, Amanda Abbington and the cast are “gutted”

BBC1 drama Cuffs will not be returning for a second series – and the cast are “gutted”.

The Brighton-set cop drama featuring Sherlock’s Amanda Abbington, Top Boy’s Ashley Walters, Broadchurch star Shaun Dooley and Spooks actor Eleanor Matsuura ended on Wednesday night with its eighth – and now final – episode.

All the cast have been big supporters of the show on Twitter during its run, but ended up being the ones to break the bad news once the series finale had ended.

Abbington was one of the first to tweet, saying the cast were “gutted” at the news.

End of an era. And we are all gutted. Thanks to a wonderful cast, crew and fans. No series two. Sad day. #bbcCuffs pic.twitter.com/oDgCajLHjH

— amanda abbington (@CHIMPSINSOCKS) December 16, 2015

She added later: “We will miss it so much.”

Thanks for all your support and tweets regarding #cuffs. You're all so great. Bless ya. We will miss it so much. XxX

— amanda abbington (@CHIMPSINSOCKS) December 16, 2015

Eleanor Matsuura also shared her frustration at the news – with the help of some handy gifs.

When y'all thought Series 1 was amazing but you have to break the news there's no Series 2 #Cuffs @CuffsTV pic.twitter.com/pnHl5o7Xxe

— Eleanor Matsuura (@eleanormatsuura) December 16, 2015

When they recommission some total balls but your show get cancelled… #Cuffs @CuffsTV #LastEpEver pic.twitter.com/gbuOSf5WoN

— Eleanor Matsuura (@eleanormatsuura) December 16, 2015

But seriously: hugest THANK U to my incredible #Cuffs family and all the fans. You've been brilliant. I'll always be so proud of our show X

— Eleanor Matsuura (@eleanormatsuura) December 16, 2015

Actor Alex Carter added his voice.

Thank u 4all the #Cuffs love. It really was the perfect job & team, such a shame it's not getting a second series. x pic.twitter.com/0cOn87Xexf

— Alex Carter (@alexcarterltd) December 16, 2015

As did newcomer Jacob Ifan.

Thank you to everyone for all the kind words and support over the last 8 weeks, so sad that cuffs won't be returning, so happy it happened x

— Jacob Ifan (@DonLlanfihangel) December 16, 2015

And actor Pete Sullivan.

Trending on the same page as @starwars? I'll take that…#Cuffs pic.twitter.com/JKDj3wWtlT

— pete sullivan (@PeterTSullivan) December 16, 2015

Come the morning, the Twitter fan campaign and petition was already in full swing.

Missing #Cuffs already?? Sign the petition here to show @BBC we want more!! https://t.co/BmPE8ssT8s (please RT)

— #BRINGBACKCUFFS (@welovecuffs) December 17, 2015

The BBC confirmed that the show would not be returning for a second series, explaining that BBC1 needed to “create space for new shows”.

A BBC spokesperson said, “We are very proud of Cuffs and would like to thank all those involved but in order to create space for new shows and to keep increasing the range of BBC1 drama the show will not be returning for a second series.”