Hit horror series with Hollywood A-lister AXED - as devastated fans fume 'how could they?!'
The supernatural show Goosebumps, based on the R.L. Stine children's book series of the same name, has been cancelled after just two seasons.
The first series aired shortly before Halloween, 2023, and the second saw Friends star David Schwimmer join the glittering cast in 2024.
He starred alongside He's Just Not That Into You actor Justin Long, Eastenders ' Zack Morris and Gossip Girl's Ana Yi Puig.
The recent series was the modern iteration of the original TV adaptation from 1995, and its cancellation has gutted new fans and old-school followers alike.
Series three will not return to streaming platform Disney+, although there is talk of Sony Pictures Television selling the show to other potential networks.
Variety reports the production company plans to 'explore different creative directions for the IP,' although the show's future is not a guarantee.
David Schwimmer, 58, played Anthony Brewer in season two, a former botany professor and divorced father to twins Cece and Devin - played by Jayden Bartels and Sam McCarthy.
The programme deviated from the method of its 90s predecessor, opting to explore one story per season rather than a new plot every episode.
Fans of the series are crestfallen, and many flocked to social media to express their disdain for the studio's decision.
'Goosebumps deserved more!' wrote one, adding: 'The show had potential and a nostalgic fanbase - sad to see it go this soon.'
Others felt the show's nostalgic streak worked in its favour, with one saying: 'Why cancel a show with nostalgia value when half the platform is filled with forgettable reboots?'
'They could have given us one last season,' lamented one commenter, and a fourth chimed in: 'How could they?!'
Viewers were left on a cliffhanger after expecting another installment of the show.
'I was hoping it might get a new season,' said one, and another added: 'No, I loved the second season.'
It comes as the BBC has quietly axed a fan-favourite crime drama which starred a huge actress after just two series on air in a blow to fans.
Originally launching in 2021, the show had built up a loyal audience and bagged an impressive 83% Rotten Tomatoes score.
However, Annika won't return for a third series, days after it arrived in a primetime slot on BBC One last week.
A spokesperson for UKTV said: 'We are incredibly proud of the success of Annika on U&Alibi, but there are no current plans for a third series.'
Starring Nicola Walker, the show's first home was U&Alibi and was originally based on BBC Radio 4 drama Annika Stranded.
The 55 year old played the role of Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, the head of Scotland's Homicide Unit.
Other stars who appeared in the drama include Jamie Sives, Katie Leung, Ukweli Roach, Paul McGann, Silvie Furneaux and Sven Henriksen.
Fans of the series are crestfallen, and many flocked to social media to express their disdain for the studio's decision
Despite Nicola's on screen success she keeps relatively quiet about her family life and marriage to fellow actor Barnaby Kay.
It is not known where the couple met, but they have a son named Harry, who was born in 2006.
The cancellation comes after it was revealed Nicola's other show Forgotten, which airs on ITV, is reportedly facing the axe.
Its writer Chris Lang has admitted he wishes to step down after the upcoming series in a blow to fans.
The crime drama follows detectives as they delve into cold cases however the latest season received criticism from viewers who blasted ITV for 'ruining' it with 'woke and nonsensical' storylines.
And now it seems the future of the show has been called into question with Chris' involvement uncertain.
Speaking in an interview with the Royal Television Society he said: 'I'll probably hand on the baton after this series. I'll still be involved, but I've written 42 episodes and don't want to repeat myself,' The Sun reported.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
My stalker was inspired by Netflix show to kidnap & chain me to wall in torture chamber… I struck dark deal to survive
When twisted Christopher Thomas was finally caught he took extreme action to conceal evidence CHILLING PLOT My stalker was inspired by Netflix show to kidnap & chain me to wall in torture chamber… I struck dark deal to survive Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WAKING to a creaking floorboard in her bedroom, Samantha Stites was about to reach for a small axe hidden under her bed when she was suddenly attacked. Intruder Christopher Thomas gagged her, tied her up and bundled her into a car before driving her to a bunker in a storage unit - where he kept her chained to a wall. 14 Samantha Stites bravely shares her ordeal in a new documentary Credit: Supplied 14 Christopher Thomas spent 11 years stalking Samantha Credit: Supplied 14 Samantha with Thomas at college, where they first met as students Credit: Netflix But this horrific kidnap, in October 2022, was no random attack. Thomas had been stalking Samantha for over a decade, after becoming obsessed with her when they first met at Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 2011. And his terrifying plot to kidnap, rape and murder her was inspired by watching hit Netflix show You, which saw its deranged main character Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley, torture women in a glass box hidden in the basement of his New York bookshop. Recalling the horrifying moment Thomas forced her into a custom-built soundproof bunker in a rental storage unit, Samantha said: 'He takes off my bandana, I'm in this torture chamber. 'Holy s***, this is like a horror film. Is he going to rape me and kill me in this room? I can't fight my way out.' Samantha had to summon every ounce of strength to survive and escape. Fighting for her life, she was eventually forced to strike a dark deal - to have sex with her sick captor in return for her freedom. In a gripping three-part Disney+ documentary Samantha bravely shares her story for the first time, recounting years of fear and astonishing resilience. Featuring never-before-seen police interview footage, CCTV surveillance from the storage unit and disturbing images and videos recovered from Thomas' phone, Stalking Samantha also includes powerful testimony from her friends and the investigators who helped bring her attacker to justice. Thomas's dark obsession took hold the moment he laid eyes on her, 11 years before the attack. Obsessed stalker faked pregnancy, swerved car into ex & bombarded him with messages in relentless campaign of harassment 14 Samantha recalls the terrifying moment she was bundled into the bunker Credit: Netflix 14 Penn Badgley plays deranged stalker and murderer Joe Goldberg in You - the show that inspired Thomas Credit: CLIFTON PRESCOD/NETFLIX After their first meeting Samantha turned down repeated requests for dates, but he refused to take no for an answer and became increasingly persistent. Several years older than her and socially awkward, Thomas bombarded Samantha with lengthy emotionally charged messages, insisting: 'I want you to be part of my life.' He nicknamed her Jellybean and quoted passages from the Bible, suggesting their relationship was God's plan. She said: 'Every time I saw him I was more and more scared.' Her former roommate Charissa Hayden explained: 'He was a nobody, a sad, lonely guy. She felt sorry for him and was nice to him. He took that and ran away with it.' Samantha's childhood friend Patrick Bruening added: 'He showed up with flowers at her work and I thought that was a huge red flag. "He thought he was her knight in shining armour. Not at all - he was creepy.' Every time I saw him I was more and more scared Samantha Stites Although pathetic Thomas continued to harass Samantha, she ignored him for months until she finally snapped one day when he approached her at a bus stop. 'On the inside I was flaming mad, the angriest I've been because I thought we were past all this,' she recalled. She told Thomas: 'I've told you I don't want to see you, I don't want to speak to you, I don't want flowers, just leave me alone. 'I've told you multiple times, I've blocked you. I don't want to see you, I don't want to talk to you." She adds: 'I think he was surprised that I wasn't flattered. But he knows very clearly what my wishes are and doesn't care.' Another friend, Robin Trierweiler, said: 'All I wanted to do was shake her and say please take care of yourself. 'It seems like she's in danger and it's frustrating to watch her downplay that. It's not a normal situation, it's a hazard.' Drastic action 14 Samantha, right, was a happy-go-lucky teenager before she met Thomas Credit: Netflix 14 Thomas caught on camera outside Samantha's home Credit: Netflix After graduating from college, Samantha returned to her home town of Elk Rapids, a small close knit community, where she thought the ordeal was behind her. But soon Thomas turned up there too, and even applied for the same internship she was starting. 'I just feared that I would never be free of him,' she said. 'I felt scared and threatened.' When he was spotted coming out of her apartment in 2016, Samantha took drastic action and applied for a personal protection order - banning him from all contact. Judge Norman Hayes, who granted the order for six years, recalled: 'I was really concerned. I've never seen a stalking case as severe as this. 'He was obsessed, absolutely obsessed with her. He's going to do something very severe - either rape, kill her or kidnap her. I was really concerned. I've never seen a stalking case as severe as this... He's going to do something very severe - either rape, kill her or kidnap her Judge Norman Hayes 'At the time it was the longest personal protection order I had ever granted.' With Thomas legally banned from making contact, Samantha's life gradually returned to normal. She trained as a social worker and bought a house, but in September 2022 - as soon as the restraining order expired - she spotted Thomas lurking as she played football. 'I stopped dead in my tracks,' said Samantha. 'I worry that he's coming after me in a vengeful way wanting to hurt me for denying him all those years ago.' Thomas also joined Samantha's gym and football league, but technically he had not done anything wrong and her request for another personal protection order was denied. Gagged and bound 14 The storage unit where he intended to keep his victim for two weeks Credit: Netflix 14 The bunker inside the storage unit where Samantha was held Credit: Netflix 14 Cuffs found by police while gathering evidence against Thomas Credit: Netflix Lying in bed in the early hours of 7 October 2022, Samantha jumped as she heard a floorboard creak. 'My heart starts racing, my mind shoots to the hatchet I kept under my mattress,' she said. 'In a second somebody storms into my room and jumps on to me. I start screaming and I feel his hands around my throat and he begins to choke me. 'It gets tougher to breathe and I think he's going to kill me. I recognise immediately it's Christopher. In a second somebody storms into my room and jumps on to me. I start screaming and I feel his hands around my throat and he begins to choke me Samantha Stites 'I say, 'If you want to rape me just do it,' but he said, 'I just want to talk to you, not here.' 'He shoves a ball gag in my mouth, pulls out black gorilla tape, puts it around my head and hair multiple times. I feel like a prisoner.' Thomas handcuffed and blindfolded Samantha, and bundled her into her own car, along with her dog. She added: 'Once we leave my house the likelihood of me surviving goes down drastically - this really becomes a fight for my life.' Chilling plan Once they reached the bunker Thomas revealed his chilling plan for them to spend two weeks holed up together. He gave Samantha pyjamas, told her to use a bucket as a toilet and then chained her to a wall. Then he calmly explained that he intended to fake Samantha's death by leaving her paddle board in a nearby lake so people would assume she had drowned. She said: 'On the inside I'm freaking out - there's no way we're going to just talk for two weeks. Is he going to rape me and kill me? Will I see daylight again? 'I need to stay focused, I can't fight my way out - this guy is faster and stronger than me. 'Christopher is a psychopath, he is someone I can't use normal logic with. I try not to react with disgust. On the inside I'm freaking out - there's no way we're going to just talk for two weeks. Is he going to rape me and kill me? Will I see daylight again? Samantha Stites 'He talks about the TV show You, about a good-looking young man who becomes obsessed with a young woman, kidnaps her and keeps her in a glass room - which he says wasn't logistically possible, he looked into it. 'In the show he ends up murdering her.' Thomas gave Samantha a football shirt with her name on the back - which he'd bought when first he asked her out 11 years earlier. Over the next 13 hours Samantha begged him to let her go, promising not to go to the police. She said: 'I try to convince him we can be friends, and what he's done isn't a big deal. 'I said, 'As a social worker, I'm good at keeping secrets,' but he says, 'What will convince me is if you sleep with me.' 'I told him, 'I'm seeing somebody, I don't want to sleep with you,' but he said, 'That's the only way I can trust you.' 'I think this person is capable of killing me, he holds the key to my life. 'I don't see anything sharp I could hide and stab him with, not a screwdriver I could take the locks off the door, there is no way out of this. If I say no is he going to rape me anyway? 'I say, 'You promise me if I sleep with you, you'll let me out tonight?' He looked me in the eye and shook my hand. His integrity is important to him, I was banking on that." 'Dead inside' At the time, she thought the actual rape would be over quickly. She adds: 'This guy hasn't had a girlfriend in a long time, this might be a quick endeavour. 'But then he says, 'I masturbate 12 times a day so this might take a while.' I felt myself go dead inside. It was painful, I cried and I shook. I didn't want him to know I was disgusted and terrified. I didn't want him to get angry Samantha Stites 'I felt myself go dead inside. It was painful, I cried and I shook. I didn't want him to know I was disgusted and terrified. I didn't want him to get angry. 'He said, 'That's all I've wanted for so long, you can't imagine how long I've wanted that. You're the person I'm supposed to marry.' 'My stomach turns just thinking about that, but I said, 'I've held up my end of the bargain, you need to let me go'.' Astonishingly, Thomas agreed and drove Samantha home. 14 Samantha in hospital following the ordeal Credit: Netflix 14 Police examine the bunker where she was held Credit: Netflix 14 Thomas is arrested after kidnapping Samantha Credit: Netflix Within 36 hours he had been arrested, having chemically burnt the skin off his head and body in a desperate bid to conceal evidence. Cops then discovered he'd had a tracker on Samantha's car for months, and found more than $5,000 worth of receipts for tools and equipment he bought to create the lair - where he also hid rifles and a crossbow. It also emerged that he had been arrested for stalking a former colleague in 2009. Although he claimed Samantha participated in 'role play', Thomas was convicted of kidnapping, home invasion, torture, aggravated stalking and four counts of criminal sexual conduct. He was sentenced to 40 to 60 years in prison. In a call to his mother from prison, he admitted he had thought about Samantha every day for 12 years. Samantha has chosen to share her story to help other women avoid harm. "I would want other women or people in general to know how to identify those signs that somebody is potentially stalking you or is at risk of harming you in some way," she says. "Knowing some things that you can do, places you can go to get help, and really advocating for yourself if you've got a gut feeling that something's wrong, it likely is and really pursuing that. "I felt like I did that to the best of my ability." Stalking Samantha is available on Disney+ from August 19.
Scottish Sun
4 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
90s soap bombshell hasn't aged a day as she returns to show TWENTY years after quitting
She's hardly changed since her debut at the age of 19 in 1993 TIMELESS BEAUTY 90s soap bombshell hasn't aged a day as she returns to show TWENTY years after quitting A 90s soap bombshell hasn't aged a day as she returned to the the show she was on, twenty years after quitting. The 52-year-old actress is best known for playing Annalise Hartman on the Aussie soap Neighbours 1993 and 1996. Advertisement 4 A 90s soap bombshell hasn't aged a day as she returned to the the show she was on, twenty years after quitting Credit: X 4 The 52-year-old actress is best known for playing Annalise Hartman Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Kimberley Davies starred in Neighbours for three years in the 90s and went on to become a huge sex symbol from that time. The star appeared on various magazines including Loaded, FHM and Maxim. And it looks like the star has barely aged, as she reprised her role as devious Annalise. She's hardly changed since her debut at the age of 19 in 1993. Advertisement In fact, Kimberley looks as glamorous as ever in a short clip shared on her social media. The actress tells fans: 'You might remember me as Annalise Hartman. 'So being definitely brought up a lot of memories, makes me feel really old, I must say. 'But so great to see some familiar faces and everyone's just so lovely and in a way even though I feel old it's kind of like I never left.' Advertisement The star also teased what Neighbours fans might be able to expect from her character on the show, continuing: 'Last time I was here, Annalise was doing docos and she was making a documentary about the history of Ramsay Street, but she's back this time with a different job shall we say... and [she has] a couple of new conflicts due to the new job. Neighbours star hits back after being labelled a nepo-baby - can you guess her 90s rock legend dad? 'And she has a lot going on in her life... so she's got some stories to tell.' Fans of the Aussie soap have been left delighted by the comeback, with one person writing: 'I absolutely loved Annalise's return episode. So many callbacks! So much history!' A second added: 'It's a great coup getting Kimberley back on Neighbours.' Advertisement After her stint in the Australian soap, she appeared in various shows such as Pacific Palisades, Friends and Ally McBeal. Neighbours stars who made it big The long-running Aussie soap has launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Here are some of the Neighbours alums who went on to make it big after starring on the soap... Kylie Minogue Before she hit the big time with her music career, Kylie shot to fame playing Charlene Mitchell on Neighbours. Shortly after her arrival, Kylie began an on and off-screen romance with co-star Jason Donovan, who played Scott Robinson, which gained the couple an army of adoring fans. Jason Donovan After his stint as Scott, singer and actor Jason became an international popstar and had his pick acting of roles. He moved to the U.K., married, had children and has since starred in over a dozen West End show, most notably Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat. Alan Dale New Zealand born actor Alan was one of Neighbours 12 original cast members having made his debut as Jim Robinson on the soap's first episode on 18 March 1985. As the head of the Robinson clan, widower Jim lived at Number 26 Ramsay Street with his children Paul, Julie, Scott and Lucy, and was a real anchor in the community. He stayed with the show for eight years, before his character was killed off in dramatic scenes aired in 1993 but which still reverberate through the soap to this day. Margot Robbie Way before she was Barbie or Harley Quinn, Margot was best known as Ramsay Street resident Donna Freedman. Her notable storylines included her marriage to Ringo Brown and becoming a young widow following his tragic death. After three years she bid farewell to the soap and Australia with a plan to make a name for herself in Hollywood which she did when she bagged the role of Naomi Lapaglia opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. Jesse Spencer Jesse rocked up on Ramsay street in 1994 with the rest of the Kennedy clan. He stayed for five years, literally growing up in front of the camera, but in 2000 felt it was time to spread his wings and head for Hollywood. It was certainly a smart move as he went on to bag leading roles in popular shows like House and Chicago Fire. Russell Crowe New Zealand-native Russell had a brief arc on Neighbours, appearing in four episodes of the soap 1987 as Kenny Larkin, the former cellmate of Street resident Henry Ramsay. The role obviously got him noticed though because he quickly went on to become a fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister, winning the Best Actor Oscar for his standout performance as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator. Kimberley has also taken part in reality shows such as Celebrity Circus, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Dancing with the Stars. She was last on our screens when she took part in Neighbours' 20th anniversary special in 2005. She didn't appeared in the Neighbours 2022 finale which saw some of the show's biggest characters return to Ramsay Street. Advertisement Kimberley was apparently asked by producers, but she declined, according to Private Sydney. But now she's firmly back on the soap, and fans are delighted. The star is married to her husband Jason Harvey. The pair, who tied the knot in 1997, share three kids - Isabella, Josh and Ashton. Advertisement 4 The star appeared on various magazines including Loaded, FHM and Maxim Credit: Rex Features
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
New Emmerdale star Joe Absolom takes a savage swipe at EastEnders xx years after quitting soap
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMERDALE star Joe Absolom took a savage swipe at EastEnders - 25 years after quitting the BBC soap. The actor, 46, rose to fame while playing Matthew Rose from 1997 to 2000. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Joe Absolom took a savage swipe at EastEnders - 25 years after quitting Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 He played Matthew Rose from 1997 to 2000 Credit: BBC 4 Joe is now playing Emmerdale baddie Ray Walters Credit: ITV Since leaving Albert Square behind, Joe since appeared in several other programmes. He has most recently joined the Emmerdale cast, playing new villain Ray. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Joe took a shock swipe at his former soap. He said: "I did EastEnders a long time ago and it was fun but Emmerdale is genuinely a very nice place to work. "I keep waiting for someone to tell me that this isn't the real job. "The crew is really good and the set is basically a proper place. They can film anywhere. "That means you can work quickly but you don't feel rushed. "EastEnders was rushed and it just feels nicer." During Matthew Rose's time on EastEnders, the character feuded with Steve Owen (Martin Kemp). The older man framed Matthew for killing Steve's ex Saskia Duncan (Deborah Sheridan-Taylor). Emmerdale star Joe Absolom teases dark storyline for drug dealer villain Later released from prison, Matthew subsequently vowed to get revenge on Steve. He achieved this by capturing the villain and forcing him to beg for mercy - before leaving the Square for good. Earlier this year, Emmerdale fans learned of Joe's imminent arrival to the ITV soap. His character, Ray, was billed as an old acquaintance of Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb). Ray later became involved with returning fan favourite Dylan (Fred Kettle). Meanwhile, Joe previously said of his casting: "Well what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale! "It's an iconic show and I'm grateful to be part of it." He added: "I can't wait to see what's in stock for Ray!'
