The WWI masterpiece the BBC axed after just one series

It had the cast, the period detail and the ambition to become a Sunday night staple. But The Crimson Field - the BBC's lavish First World War drama - was scrapped after just one series, leaving fans and its creator devastated. The six-part series launched on BBC One in April 2014, following the lives of nurses, medics and soldiers at a fictional field hospital in France. Starring Suranne Jones, Oona Chaplin and Hermione Norris, it transported viewers to the heart of the trenches during one of Britain's bloodiest conflicts.

Writer Sarah Phelps poured years of research into the project, mapping out four more series to span the entire war. After the decision, Sarah took to Twitter to announce the news, stating: "Found out today that #TheCrimsonField won't be recommissioned by @BBCOne Gutted doesn't even touch the sides of how I feel." The cancellation was attributed to declining ratings and scheduling priorities. The debut episode drew more than six million viewers, but figures fell to 4.4 million by the penultimate instalment.

At the time, a BBC spokesperson issued a statement saying: "The Crimson Field was our landmark drama series that launched the start of the BBC's World War One coverage. We are very proud of The Crimson Field and are hugely grateful to all those who worked so hard on it."

They explained: "However, in order to create space for new shows and to keep increasing the variety of BBC1 drama, it will not be returning for a second series. Coming up this Autumn on BBC1, further WW1 drama content includes The Passing Bells and War Poems."

Actress Oona Chaplin told the Radio Times: "I am sorry, but seven million viewers for The Crimson Field and the BBC still cannot tell us if we are recommissioned or not.

"The way these things are financed is so bl**dy complicated and ridiculous if you ask me. I am sure it must make sense for someone."

On social media, viewers called the series "a masterpiece axed before its time," while others slammed the BBC's controversial move.

One said: "I do wish the BBC would stop doing this. They left 'The Hour' on such a cliffhanger that it was obvious the writer had at least been given the strong impression that it would return for a third series.

Another wrote: "'The Crimson Field' writer clearly believed the same. It must be incredibly frustrating for them, and for me as a viewer, it's infuriating to be left with a good story which will never be finished."

Another added: "Perhaps the time has come for the BBC to consider giving writers a guarantee of a specific minimum number of series.

"At least that would allow them to know exactly how much story to write, and avoid this issue of forever unresolved cliffhangers.

"After all, I wouldn't set out to read a book if I knew that there was a risk that the author wouldn't finish the damned thing."