'Britannia' Canceled as Production Team Gears Up to Make 'The Dirty Squad'

There is sad news on the British period pieces about Roman times front, as Sky announces Britannia has been canceled after three seasons. The news isn't that big of a surprise, as the show has struggled to find backers since its first season; the joint production between Sky UK and Amazon Prime Video failed to be the smash period piece drama hit the two production studios envisioned on streaming. Season 2 never made it to the U.S., Amazon dropped out, and Sky went it alone.

Season 3 was co-produced by MGM for its streaming service, Epix, which (lol) was then bought out by Amazon. Though the now-rechristened MGM+ kept some of Epix's period dramas, including reviving Belgravia, rescuing A Spy Among Friends, retooling Domina, and renewing Rogue Heroes. However, apparently, the parent company is still passing on Britannia. In response, Sky is shuttering the series. Considering the series hasn't released a new episode since 2021, it seems the most sensible option.

However, David Morrissey (who co-produced and starred in Britannia) is not out of the period piece game. On the heels of Britannia's official cancelation comes word Morrissey and co-producer Tom Butterworth are partnering with Vertigo Films to create a new series, The Dirty Squad. According to the press release obtained by Deadline, "Much like Britannia, The Dirty Squad irreverently focuses on a period of dramatic change in the UK, this time uncovering one of the biggest corruption stories that the UK has ever known while tapping into every element of British society and establishment and examining how they got away with it."