TNT’s remake of the classic TV drama ‘Dallas’ has been cancelled, it has been announced. Only a matter of weeks after production wrapped for the third season of the rebooted show, the broadcaster announced that it would not return for a fourth.

Patrick Duffy
Patrick Duffy starred in both 'Dallas' series

In a statement made on Friday, the production company stated: "TNT has decided not to renew ‘Dallas’. We are extremely proud of the series, which defied expectations by standing as a worthy continuation of the Ewing saga. We want to thank everyone involved with the show, from the extraordinary cast to the impeccable production team… …we especially want to thank the people of Dallas for their warm and generous hospitality during the production of the series."

The rebooted series was announced, the decision was made to set the drama twenty years on, and also to bring back some of the original actors such as Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman. When the remake was initially unveiled back in 2012, the reception was surprisingly good, with over 7 million viewers tuning in for the first episode. However, the viewership rapidly diminished and was hit further by TNT’s decision to place it in the more competitive winter schedule. The death of Hagman, who reprised his original role of J.R. Ewing in the remake, in November 2012 also caused problems for production.

The original ‘Dallas’ is one of most fondly remembered TV series ever, which ran from 1978 to 1991 and centred on the trials and tribulations of two warring siblings running a cattle and oil dynasty. The publicity generated from the cliffhanger episode over who shot Hagman’s character J.R. is the stuff of advertising legend, and is the third most-watched TV episode in the history of American television with 90 million people tuning in for the first episode of the subsequent series.

More: ‘Dallas’ bosses pay tribute to Larry Hagman with a new brand of liquor.