MovieChat Forums > Hamish Macbeth (1998) Discussion > How in the world did this show only have...

How in the world did this show only have 3 seasons

posted 17 years ago by wayspooled
11 replies | jump to latest

I'm halfway through season 2 on dvd and it's hard to believe this is only a 3 season series. How come?

I think it was possibly something to do with Robert Carlyle wanting to move on and do other work - and rather than replace him, the producers probably wanted to finish on a high note?

[–] Kathryn-3 17 years ago

I know it's disappointing, but I have to say I really respect British TV producers for killing off series before they jump the shark. Leaves you with only good memories of a great series. "Hamish" often gets compared to "Northern Exposure," which in my humble opinion should have been killed at the end of its third season!

Parler du soleil et l'on en voit les rayons.

[–] grandmabrat 15 years ago

no, let's just face it and agree that british tv does better series than we do.

[–] ppllkk 14 years ago

Halfway through season 2, I agree with you. I believe that the series "jumped the shark," or better yet, "nuked the fridge" in the antepenultimate and penultimate episodes of season 2. My "suspension of disbelief" was gone after that. Season 3 was, at best, uneven.

[–] qwijebo-2 11 years ago

He may be coming back for another 3 series

[–] sutj526 11 years ago

While I think most of us, as fans, would love to see Hamish and the town of Lochdubh again, I would expect that Carlyle just wouldn't have the time, considering he spends most of his year as Rumpelstiltskin.

I'm not sure you could redo the series with different actors. It would be a completely different show. The chemistry of the entire town would have to be recreated.

[–] laaksonen-rj 11 years ago

But would the series be the same without TV John and Ralph Riach? Of course, thinking of the last scene of the final episode (with John's father), TV John could appear as a ghost communicating with Hamish.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] !!!deleted!!! (2212087) 11 years ago

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been re-reading the books and that thought keeps on crossing my mind. I think Damian Lewis would make the perfect Hamish Macbeth. Physically, he's close to perfect for the role and he's could certainly play the role in regards to acting ability and I'm sure he could do the accent.

Maybe I just have a high regard for him I've thought of several roles he'd be good for. I'd love to see him as Dr Who. I'd like a more serious doctor.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5955) a year ago

A Welshman playing a Scot would never be accepted.

[–] warrenf_peace 7 years ago

I first saw the show on BBC America in the late 90's, and immediately fell in love with it. Carlyle was great as Begbe in "Trainspotting", and especially "The Full Monty", and I think there was another film, around that time I liked as well, before he got Hollywood famous. But Hamish was just a feel good show that ran its course, and execs killed it because they are all such greedy bastards. I doubt it was because Carlyle was too busy at the time, and perhaps more because the execs were too cheap to man up for the talent. Whatever, the good news is that we have three excellent seasons (never mind what the basher-pricks have to say).

I am the eggman, we are the eggmen, I am the walrus - koo koo, ka-choob