The BBC website confirms that despite reports to the contrary, there will be no new episodes filmed of The Sarah Jane Adventures.
The full statement regarding the future of the series is below:
“Contrary to press reports today we can confirm that no new episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures will be filmed following the tragic death of actress Elisabeth Sladen in April, 2011. As a tribute to Elisabeth the six episodes that were recorded with her last year will be broadcast on CBBC at a date to be confirmed.”
Elisabeth Sladen first played the role of Sarah Jane in Doctor Who in 1973 and following her return to the show in 2006, played the eponymous lead in the award-winning CBBC series, The Sarah Jane Adventures, from 2007 onwards.
While I agree with the decision not to continue the show on without Elisabeth Sladen (and really, how could it even be considered? The absence of Sarah Jane would be a hole to big to fill, and recasting is out of the question), I do think CBBC should look into filming a final episode, giving the show a finale and handling her death “in universe”. Yes we had tributes and dedications, but Sarah Jane has become too much of a fixture with the Whoniverse, and to just drop the show and never reference her again? Seems wrong. While it would be undoubtedly tough to watch and film, her fans deserve at least that.
