THE TOWER: ITV CRIME THRILLER CANCELLED AFTER THREE SERIES

ITV have decided against commissioning a fourth series of crime thriller The Tower, with the show ending after its three series, it has been revealed.

The Tower Series 1 was based on Post Mortem, the first in Kate London’s Metropolitan series of novels featuring Sarah Collins and rookie cop Lizzie Griffiths. Gemma Whelan starred in the lead role of Detective Sergeant Sarah Collins

An ITV spokesperson told The Sun newspaper: "The Tower was much loved by the audience who watched the drama but the viewing figures for the last series did not reach expectations so sadly we won’t be recommissioning."

The third and most recent series of the gripping crime thriller is based on author Kate London’s third novel and is adapted by screenwriter Patrick Harbinson (Homeland, Fearless, 24).

The series stars Gemma Whelan as DS Sarah Collins, Tahirah Sharif - who was BAFTA-nominated for her role as PC Lizzie Adama for the first series - Jimmy Akingbola as DC Steve Bradshaw and Emmett J Scanlan as DI Kieran Shaw.

The first episode is set two years after the previous series when Sarah is called to investigate the stabbing of a teenage boy - the case brings her into contact with Lizzie, who is now balancing life as a detective and mother, and into conflict with DI Kieran Shaw who is running Operation Perseus, an undercover police task force set up to bring down South London drug kingpin Shakiel Oliver.

Kieran is working with DC Steve Bradshaw who has gone undercover to infiltrate Shakiel’s empire. The focus of Sarah and Kieran’s conflict is 15-year-old Ryan Kennedy who witnessed the fatal stabbing but is also a key part of Shakiel’s inner circle - as Perseus heads to its shocking climax,Ryan will have a surprising role to play.

Previous series of The Tower are available to stream on ITVX.