BBC America has announced that this second season of its gritty period crime drama Copper, which wrapped earlier this week, will be the series' last.  Though Copper had a well-received outing (I reviewed it positively at the time), it never found a steady audience, especially after its first season premiered at the start of a heavy fall line up last year.  The show returned this summer hoping to gain more traction, but ultimately it never seemed to distinguish itself enough from two other foundering series, AMC's Hell On Wheels and BBC's Ripper Street, which cover a similar time frame and gritty aspect.  Hit the jump for more on BBC America's comments, as well as the future of their scripted series.

According to THR, BBC America general manager Perry Simon had this to say about Copper and its finale:

"Copper has been a fascinating and exciting experience for everyone involved. The opportunity to work with Tom Fontana, Barry Levinson, Will Rokos,Thomas Kelly and the extraordinary cast and crew on this journey is one that we are extremely proud of.  Their vision to re-tell the immigrant experience through the melting pot of New York City was an original and fresh idea that melded well with the essence of BBC America’s programming. After 23 episodes, with Lincoln dead and the nation starting to heal, it seems a fitting moment to conclude this American story."

Though BBC America has a number of original unscripted series, Copper was their first foray into original scripted content (the channel mostly trades in highly anticipated UK-first run series like Luther, Doctor Who and Torchwood).

But, the network has recently found success in a Canadian co-produced project Orphan Black, which wowed critics (myself included) and seems to be finding a catch-up audience in its off season (despite being snubbed by the Emmys). Orphan Black begins production on its second season in Toronto soon, and BBC America (as well as fans) are surely hoping this series takes off in a way that Copper simply never did.