The Change is over

A ‘huge blow’ as Channel 4 drops Bridget Christie comedy

Channel 4 has dropped Bridget Christie’s comedy The Change, despite the comedian’s plans to end the story with a third series.

She said the news came as a ‘huge blow’ – but said she hoped to be able to conclude the narrative some other way

The show was nominated for Broadcast, Royal Television Society and Chortle Awards – with Christie herself shortlisted for a Bafta for her performance as Linda, who has a existential crisis as she enters the menopause and returns to nature among the quirky inhabitants of the Forest of Dean.

Christie, who also wrote the show, broke the news of the cancellation on Instagram.

She posted: ‘Sad to report that Channel 4 have decided not to renew The Change for a third and final series, and while it’s a huge achievement to make two series of a TV show, it nonetheless comes as a huge blow to have been prevented from bringing the show to an appropriate and satisfactory conclusion.

‘This story is one that’s rarely, if ever, told on TV, and even though it is the end of the road for Linda with Channel 4, it’s not the end of the road for Linda with me, and I will do everything I can in order to finish her story properly. How and when remains to be seen, but watch this space.

‘The community that’s built up over the course of making the show, not just in terms of the incredible cast and crew, our musicians and dancers, all the artists and producers, but also amongst the fans, has been a beautiful and humbling thing, and I am so proud to have created something that’s made so many of you feel seen and heard. Thank you for all your heartfelt and profound messages.

‘So that’s that folks, and while you may not be seeing Linda’s next chapter any time soon, you can see me on tour from January.’

The series, made by production house Expectation Entertainment, began airing on Channel 4 in June 2023, with the second season released this March. Christie’s co-stars included Monica Dolan, Susan Lynch, Jim Howick, Jerome Flynn, Tanya Moodie, Paul Whitehouse, Liza Tarbuck and Omid Djalili.

A Channel 4 spokesperson confirmed the news to Chortle, saying: 'We’re immensely proud of The Change and the two artistic and impactful series we’ve made at Channel 4.

'We continuously review our slate to give viewers the best range of programming, innovating with new shows and driving our streaming growth.

'That means we have to think really carefully about which shows to return, rest or conclude. We’d like to thank Bridget Christie, Expectation, and the entire cast and crew for their hard work and creative tenacity.'