James R | On 09, Aug 2016

Caitlin Moran has launched a campaign to save Raised by Wolves, after Channel 4 decided not to commission another season of the sitcom.

RadioTimes broke the news that the broadcaster had passed on renewing the show, with a Channel 4 spokesperson saying: “We are incredibly proud of launching Raised by Wolves and introducing the exploits of Della, Germaine, Athena and their family to audiences, however Channel 4 is committed to a range of brand new series for next year. We wish Caitlin, Caz and our friends at Big Talk all the best.”

The series first aired back in 2013, charting the raising of a young couple of sisters in Wolverhampton by their single mum.

“Written with her sister, Caroline, and based on their childhood in Wolverhampton, the working class growing pains of young Germaine (Helen Monks), Aretha (Alexa Davies) and Yoko (Molly Risker) fly past in a barrage of witty dialogue,” we wrote in our review of the show’s second season. “There’s a sincerity to be found in the unglamorous low-budget family life (they decorate granddad’s cupboard with “the poor man’s IKEA” – a skip) and the young cast, led by an excellent Helen Monks.”

Indeed, Moran commented that the show is the “only TV series in Britain by and about working class women, which is pretty damn poor when you think about it”.

C4 have killed Raised By Wolves, but it's not going away – join our Rebel Alliance campaign HERE https://t.co/PJ96OAbi0u #upthewolves

— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) August 9, 2016

Big Talk Productions added the Moran sisters “still have amazing stories they are desperate to tell”, hinting a possible online future for the show, saying the show would take a “step into the unknown… in this brave new digital world”.

This would not be the first time the streaming industry has stepped in to renew a dropped series, with Netflix resurrecting the US remake of The Killing and Amazon reincarnating Ripper Street for three more seasons – the latest of which will be repeated by the BBC in an edited version in the very near future. Many shows do not get rescued, with series such as Utopia, Constantine and Hannibal falling by the wayside. There is, however, potential for a web series or something similar, with Louis C.K. proving this year that producing and distributing his own show (Horace and Pete) online can still get attention – the show was nominated for two Emmy awards.

The news of its cancellation has prompted Moran and the team behind the comedy to launch a campaign – #upthewolves – with the hope of the series living on in another format.

What’s next? First, Moran is assuring fans that the show isn’t going away for good.

“Every other show would give in but we believe when life gives you a massive kick in the knackers, you make massive kick in the knackers-ade,” she tells fans. “So, we’ve got a plan… Stand with us – or sit if it’s been a long day and you’re lower back’s going – and you will be the first to know what’s happening next because something is going to happen.”

You can join in the campaign and show your support by using the hashtag #upthewolves.

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