Strictly star’s BBC show brutally axed after one series – despite rave reviews and string of celebrity cameos

A BBC show fronted by a Strictly Come Dancing star has been brutally axed after one series.

Bring The Drama was hosted by Bill Bailey – who won the dancing show in 2020 with pro Oti Mabuse – and gave aspiring actors an opportunity to fulfil their TV dreams. 

But despite its rave reviews and string of celebrity cameos it will not be going ahead with a second series, reports TV Zone.

Eight stars were mentored over six weeks by casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry as they joined the casts of some of the UK’s biggest dramas including EastEnders, Peaky Blinders and Silent Witness. 

There were also guest mentors from each show to help and at the end of process Kelly – who has worked on Bridgerton, Fleabag and Broadchurch – selected three actors she felt were the best.

Bring The Drama was hosted by Bill Bailey and gave aspiring actors an opportunity to fulfil their TV dreams 

They then present their showreel at a major industry showcase for the chance to secure representation from a leading agent. 

The BBC said: ‘There are no current plans for another series of Bring the Drama on the BBC.’

There were a host of celebrity cameos including from Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia in EastEnders, who directed the aspiring actors in a scene from the soap.

They performed a 2019 EastEnders scene in which Sonia saves the life of Ben Mitchell in the Queen Vic with rudimentary implements after he was shot. 

They filmed in the real Queen Vic and Natalie directed. 

Actors from other shows also directed the amateurs, including Ed Speleers (Downton’s Jimmy Kent) and Rochenda Sandall (Line Of Duty’s Lisa McQueen). 

In another episode they were sent to the Silent Witnesses set – which famously stars Emilia Fox.

The episode saw all of the contestants vying to be cast in Fox’s leading role – with aspiring actors Jordan and Rehanna chosen to be the doctor in two competing casts.

Eight stars were mentored over six weeks by casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry as they joined the casts of some of the UK’s biggest dramas including EastEnders, Peaky Blinders and Silent Witness 

There were a host of celebrity cameos including from Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia in EastEnders, who directed the aspiring actors in a scene from the soap

In another episode they were sent to the Silent Witnesses set – which famously stars Emilia Fox

Viewers loved Rehanna and said she would be great in the show, commenting: ‘Rehanna sounds very natural!’ 

‘Rehanna as Silent Witness’ Dr Alexander on Bring The Drama, she’s good.’

‘Rehanna had to get Actor of the week. She was fantastic. I completely believed her.’ 

‘@EmiliaFox someone is in your office – watching BBC 2 Bring the Drama !’ 

Kelly said as the show launched: ‘Growing up in certain communities, if you’d said you wanted to be an actor you’d be laughed at.

‘And there are also the finances – you had to go to drama school and you had to live in London to get acting work. 

‘It all requires money, so acting has been an area of privilege.’