Drama with soap star lead pulled off air after just one series on screens

A DRAMA with a famous soap star lead has been pulled off air after just one series.

Channel 5 series Riptide, which featured former EastEnders actress Jo Joyner, will not be back for a second instalment.

Despite pleas from fans for another series, the broadcaster and its Australian counterpart Network 10 have rested the drama.

The Celeb Report understands it was originally intended to be a four-part series, although there was scope for more episodes.

A source said: “Bosses were delighted with the reaction from fans to Riptide but it’s not something they plan on revisiting.”

Riptide saw Newlyweds Alison (Jo Joyner) and Sean (Peter O’Brien) have their lives shattered after settling in Australia.

Alison was devastated when Sean went out surfing one morning and failed to return home.

After an extensive search of the coast near their home, the police conclude that Sean drowned in a dangerous riptide.

However, it later transpired there was more to the story than meets the eye.

Riptide was filmed on location in Melbourne and Victoria, with production squeezed into a few weeks in August 2022.

The series was created by Jason Herbison, who is also Neighbours’ executive producer.

It comes following the news Channel 5 have renewed criminal drama Dalgliesh, that follows detective Adam Dalgliesh, for another series.

The broadcaster announced a third instalment has been green lit.

Filming will take place this year, with the thriller adapting another three novels from P.D. James’ international best-selling murder mysteries.