The BBC sitcom The Power of Parker has been axed after two series, despite a stellar cast and a cliffhanger ending. The show starred Conleth Hill, best known for his role as Varys in Game of Thrones, as wannabe business guru Martin Parker, whose seemingly successful life is built on lies.
Cast and Setting
Set in Stockport in 1990, the programme also featured creator Sian Gibson, known for Peter Kay's Car Share, and Sheila Reid, famous as Madge Harvey in Benidorm. The final episode of series two saw Martin bracing for arrest on attempted murder charges, after he, his mistress and his wife pushed business rival Sandy (Steve Pemberton) into a bin wagon. Sandy later returned with evidence and threatened to go to the police unless they paid up. Viewers will never see the resolution.
Ratings and Decision
A source told The Sun: 'Losing any series will feel like a crime for its fans. But for the two million who watched The Power Of Parker, its axe with so many loose ends is a major felony.' The source added: 'The ratings just didn’t deliver enough bang for buck and it was decided the series would be chopped to make way for new formats.'
BBC Statement
A BBC spokesperson said: 'There are no plans for a third series of The Power Of Parker. We’d like to thank Paul Coleman, Sian Gibson and the team at Boffola Pictures for bringing the show to our screens.'
Cast Reflections
While promoting the last series, Conleth Hill revealed on The One Show that his character had experienced a 'huge fall from grace'. Co-star Sian Gibson added there would be 'twists and turns' and 'a huge twist' forcing the characters to work together. Hill previously noted that his older relatives disliked his character because he was an adulterer, and he based the role on a friend who wears cowboy boots and suits.
