The BBC has axed a show from an Oscar-nominated creator and scribe after just one series in a huge blow to Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery. The actress found fame playing Lady Mary in the ITV show and is soon to be seen on the big screen in the third movie adaptation of the series. However, her small screen efforts are proving less successful as her most recent project, This Town, the 1980s-set musical drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is not getting renewed for a second season.

The six-part series landed on BBC One on March 31 last year and saw Michelle play alcoholic singer Estella. Prior to the broadcast of the first episode, Michelle exclusively gushed to Express.co.uk and other media about the role. "She's an amazing character, I just loved her. When I read the script for the first time, I just fell in love with all of the characters in this; it's just so beautiful and relatable," she said. She was unrecognisable in the role, sporting a big backcombed perm and heavy eye makeup along with the era's fashions.

Her cut-glass Downton accent was replaced with a Brummie twang. She also got to show off her stunning voice when she gave a rousing rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbowin a funeral scene.

Like the rest of the cast, she did all her own singing in the drama, which was Steven's love letter to the music scene in the West Midlands in the 1980s.

The show started off strong with 3.2 million viewers, but had lost a million by the end of its run. Despite this, it won the Royal Television Society Award for Limited Series and Single Drama earlier this year.

At the glizty launch at the BFI IN London, creator Steven shared that he had high hopes the show would run and run.

"I certainly have enough ideas for more episodes going forward. I hope we are with these characters for a long time to come," he said.

The BBC did not share his enthusiasm for the project, and they have now confirmed that there will be no further episodes.

A spokesperson said: "We're hugely grateful to Steven Knight and the cast and crew for bringing This Town to life - in no small part due to Steven's passion for the West Midlands.

"We look forward to working with him on new projects in the future, and we're in talks about what's next."