Long-running Scottish soap River City is ending its run on BBC Scotland. After over two decades on air, the show, set in the fictional Shieldinch, will broadcast its final episodes in Autumn 2026.
Here’s the Lowdown: BBC Scotland is pulling the plug on River City as part of a major shake-up of its drama output. The broadcaster is responding to how people watch TV now, with fewer viewers sticking with long-running series, preferring shorter runs. The money saved will fund a slate of new Scottish-set dramas.
What This Means Now: River City fans have a little while to say goodbye, with the final series not airing until Autumn 2026. However, the future of BBC Scotland drama is all about new shows. Three brand new series, titled Counsels, Grams, and The Young Team, are in the works, alongside returning favorites Granite Harbour, Shetland and Vigil.
The Bigger Picture: This isn’t just about cancelling one show; it’s a complete overhaul of BBC Scotland’s drama strategy, with plans to invest over £95 million over three years. It’s all part of an attempt to place Scotland more prominently on the international stage. The BBC is also promising a new training scheme to develop Scottish talent, building on River City’s past success in this area.
