Yes, it’s been confirmed (unfortunately). Class, the Doctor Who spin-off, is no longer in session. The young adult-centric sci-fi series, which aired on BBC Three in the UK, didn’t garner enough viewership to sustain itself. BBC Three Controller Damian Kavanagh gave an official statement regarding the program’s cancellation.
No, [we’re not bringing it back]. There was nothing wrong with it – I thought Patrick did a great job, he explored an amazing world.
In honesty, it just didn’t really land for us on BBC Three. Things sometimes don’t, and I’ve got to make decisions about what we’re going to do from a drama point of view.
There are always times when you do something and you have to decide that it’s not going to come back. Class is just one of those things.
Class is the brainchild of British-American author Patrick Ness, best known for A Monster Calls and the Chaos Walking trilogy. Ness had stated, should the series be renewed for a second season, that he would opt out as showrunner. Class took place at the fictional Coal Hill School, a popular staple in Doctor Who (a few of his companions were teachers there). It centered on a group of students and one alien teacher, as they combat the extraterrestrial evils that eek into Earth’s atmosphere via a crack in “Space Time.” Even the Doctor himself, portrayed by Peter Capaldi, made a pit stop at Coal Hill in the season premiere of Class. In typical Doctor fashion he gives them a passionate speech worthy of Braveheart, urging them to take up arms and save their planet from those who would harm it.
RELATED: Read All CLASS Recaps Here
Now, my thoughts. I know you didn’t ask for them, but here they are (this is my article, after all). Back in April when Class made its way stateside I recapped the show for Geek Girl Authority. I dived headfirst into this new pocket in the Whoniverse with no real expectations. Yes, Class sometimes overemphasized that its sister show is Doctor Who. However, I found myself more intrigued by its differences. Miss Quill (Katherine Kelly) is an alien who lost her people and is enslaved by Charlie (Greg Austin), another alien who is Quill’s archenemy. Both species are the last of their kind (like a certain Gallifreyan we know and love). Throughout the course of the first season we see the two grapple with the weight of their losses.
In short, there was so much left to explore should Class have been granted a second season. Not to mention the performances were stellar, and the cast’s chemistry was off the charts. The aforementioned Kelly in particular gave a brilliantly nuanced performance in her Quill-centric episode toward the end of the season. Every inch of Class had promise, and unfortunately that promise will never be realized.
So, you’re probably wondering: should I bother watching Class if it was cancelled? The answer is yes, especially if you’re a Whovian. Season 1 is a mere eight hour-long episodes, so it’s a quick watch. Then, you can mosey on over to Geek Girl Authority and peruse my recaps. You know, because reading is fun.
Bon voyage, Class. We’ll miss you so.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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