No third series for Jack Docherty comedy

BBC Scotland has axed police sitcom The Chief.

The comedy, starring Jack Docherty as the hapless Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson, has run for eight episodes over two series.

But the British Comedy Guide today reports that the mockumentary will not be returning.

BBC Scotland told the website: ‘We have enjoyed bringing the trials and tribulations of Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson to audiences and we'd like to thank [programme-makers] The Comedy Unit, Jack Docherty and all the cast and crew for two wonderful series of The Chief.’

The show was a spin-off from Scot Squad, which ran for eight series following a 2012 pilot. Its ensemble cast also included  Sanjeev Kohli and Rhona Cameron. Hollywood star Dougray Scott guest-starred in the last series, employed to read the audio version of Miekelson’s autobiography.

When the second series launched in January, Docherty said of his character: ‘Miekelson thinks he’s one of the greatest leaders of men that’s ever existed – and he’s so far down to the other end of the spectrum, and therefore it should be, in theory, funny.’

He also told The Times that real officers praised his character for its realism – despite there being no police adviser on the show.

He said: ‘Frighteningly, the policemen that come up to me all say "Who is your guy on the inside, because it’s all so true?" And you kind of go "Oh my god, that character’s a lunatic. How bad is it in there?"’

Docherty wrote The Chief with director Iain Davidson and toured as the character earlier this year.

Miekelson’s popularity soared when a scene of him making an apology on Scot Squad went viral, racking up more than 80 million views.

Chief Miekelson has also interviewed politicians for BBC Scotland at election time.

In January, Docherty told The Sunday Post: ‘He’s very much a part of the fabric of the nation now. I like that I’m asked to do something at Burns Night or New Year, which is an exalted slot for me.’

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Published: 5 Sep 2026