Channel 4 has axed a fan-favourite drama after just one series despite receiving rave reviews and a string of awards

The powerful show, which fans called “horrifying”, followed a teenager being violently attacked at an illegal beach rave.

The attack sends shockwaves through a Merseyside community as friends and family try to find the truth by revealing people’s deepest secrets and lies.

The Gathering starred Sherlock star Vinette Robinson, 43, as Natalie, a woman dubbed the “hell mother,” alongside her daughter Jessica, played by Sadie Soverall, a talented teenage gymnast.

The show also starred Ten pounds Poms star Warren Brown, who played Paul, who was facing jail after a vicious meltdown in a park.

Channel 4 has axed fan-favourite drama The Gathering after just one series, despite receiving rave reviews and a string of awards.

The powerful show, which fans called ‘horrifying’, followed a teenager being violently attacked at an illegal beach rave

The Gathering starred Sherlock star Vinette Robinson, 43, as Natalie, a woman dubbed the ‘hell mother’, alongside her daughter Jessica, played by Sadie Soverall, (pictured) a gymnast talented teenager.

The star took home the best actor award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival in June for his performance.

And Eva Morgan, who played Paul’s gymnast daughter, won best actress, and the series itself won best series.

Despite a lot of gongs, said executive producer Simon Heath Sun.: “The series has done very well for Channel 4, but there are new managers and new priorities, which means The Gathering will not be returning.”

But some viewers may be pleased to hear the show has ended after causing a strong backlash online.

Fans were left sickened by the abusive scenes, the rest of the show failed to catch them, with many admitting they struggled to stick with it.

They rushed to X, ex-Twitter, to share their thoughts, with many commenting on the lead characters’ toxic mother-daughter relationship.

Viewers watched as Jessica tried to please her mother’s strict and domineering standards and the consequences of not being chosen for a gymnastics team.

Outraged on her daughter’s behalf, Natalie even threatened to move her from Liverpool to rival Manchester, leaving all her friends and family behind.

The show also starred Ten pounds Poms star Warren Brown, who played Paul, (pictured) facing jail after a vicious meltdown in a park.

The show won a number of awards, including Best Actress for Eva Morgan, who played Paul’s gymnast daughter, and the series itself won Best Series (as Vinette Robinson at the BASFTA TV Awards)

But some viewers may be pleased to hear the show has ended after causing a strong backlash online

Viewers wrote: “Wicked woman. I think it’s definitely an abuse. Doting parents are a nightmare – somehow mothers are always worse than fathers. Dance Moms is crazy – it literally has nothing to do with the kids – it’s the moms obsessed! #TheGathering #DanceMoms’

“Just watched Ruby Franke What a vile mother, Very awful, I hope the children recover from this, it will be a long process, They may be reunited with dad”; “That mom sent that video, it’s absolutely vile! #TheGathering’

“Ok, I won’t get the last 45 minutes back, but I don’t have to lose any more of my life. I left. #TheGathering’; “Trying to stick with it #TheGathering”; “I’m sure I might be a little unfair, but #TheGathering is a bit…so far isn’t it? I left.

“No, I’m completely lost now #thegathering”; “It’s pretty awful so far. I doubt I’ll bother watching the next episode of #TheGathering’.

The Gathering is produced by World Production and has been commissioned by Channel 4 in 2022.