Time up for BBC drama The Hour (From Stroud News and Journal)

Time up for BBC drama The Hour

12:38pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Dominic West's drama The Hour is to be axed after two series.

The BBC programme, set in a 1950s newsroom, starred Dominic and Ben Whishaw and was written by Abi Morgan, whose movie hits include The Iron Lady.

Despite acclaim for the show, ratings dropped by more than a quarter on its second run, down from the two million-plus who saw the first series.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We loved the show, but have to make hard choices to bring new shows through."

Dominic recently signed up for another BBC production, playing actor Richard Burton for a BBC Four biopic. It will examine his relationship with Elizabeth Taylor - played by Helena Bonham-Carter - as the 90-minute film focuses on their appearance together in a 1983 revival of Noel Coward's play Private Lives.