Following the success of the third series, which had fared well against the popular ITV soap opera Coronation Street in the ratings, the BBC commissioned a fourth series and Christmas special, intended for 2009. However, they later backtracked their decision and decided to axe the show as the fourth series was beginning production, allegedly down to the controversial new BBC controller Jay Hunt not liking the show.
There is no official finale, as the writers were unable to produce one due to the show being axed midway through production of a fourth series. There Will Be Pud, the 2008 Christmas special, is therefore the last ever episode.
A different house is used for exterior shots from the second series, though the interior set remains the same.
Writers originally envisaged Diana as being in her sixties, but her age was revised when producers learned Celia Imrie - 55 at the time - was interested in the role.
Siobhan has a notably less prominent role in the third series, and this was down to Amanda Abbington's pregnancy and request to appear on a recurring basis.