Anita Dobson, 75, breaks cover with husband Brian May, 77, as latest TV project axed after just one series
Anita Dobson, 75, was all smiles in a new social media post from her other half, Sir Brian May, 77, following the cancellation of Channel 4 horror-comedy Generation Z.
The zombie horror featured Dobson in a leading role alongside fellow recognisable British stars such as Sue Johnston, Michael Smiley and Robert Lindsay.
Over the weekend, it was announced that the dark comedy wouldn’t be receiving a green light for another series by Channel 4 bosses.
According to Deadline, the reasons behind the cancellation were down to underwhelming ratings and disappointing reviews.
A Channel 4 spokesperson said: “We’re very proud of Generation Z and would like to thank Ben Wheatley [director], The Forge and the wonderful cast and crew involved in the show’s success.
“We look forward to working together on future Channel 4 projects.”
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Dobson’s latest project centred on the fictional town of Dambury where a chemical leak outside a care home led to its elderly inhabitants being turned into zombies with a taste for the town’s younger civilians.
Dobson, who’s also well known for her roles in EastEnders and Doctor Who, played Janine in Generation Z, and while she’s yet to publicly address the show’s axe, she and May had cause for celebration on Sunday.
Queen legend May posted a snap alongside Dobson and a few of their pals in her first public appearance since the show’s cancellation.
May explained the scenario in the accompanying caption: “Happy Birthday to the extraordinary long time Queen manager Jim Beach – still sharp as a razor at 83!!!
“Seen here at lunch in Vevey – with Anita, myself, Jim’s equally extraordinary lady wife Claudia, and his lovely daughter, our new manager, to whom the baton has been safely passed – the already redoubtable Matilda Beach. Bri.”
Inevitably, it didn’t take long for May’s fans to flooded the response section with their comments of delight at seeing Dobson and May all smiles.
“Oh I love this picture! It’s always so good to see old friends,” one fan typed while a second weighed in: “What a sweet picture!!! Happy Birthday Mr. Beach!! You have done such a fantastic job as manager of our favorite band!!! Best of luck Matilda!!”
“What an absolute fantastic photo!! Happy birthday Jim,” another commented before a fourth said: “Aren’t you all a sight for sore eyes! Happy birthday, Mr. Beach! I know it was a lovely visit.” (sic)
While Dobson may yet to comment on Generation Z’s axe, she spoke openly ahead of its premiere about her excitement to act in a role she’d “never done” before in the horror genre.
“I got a message from my agent saying that something exciting had just come in the inbox,” she told Channel 4.
Dobson went on: “I read it and thought, ‘I’m not sure about this’.
“So we had a little chat, then I spoke to Ben Wheatley, who was so lovely and sweet and unassuming, and a diamond to work with – you can’t imagine all this stuff comes out of his head!
“So I just thought, ‘I’ve never done this before, maybe I’ll find out things about me in the process of doing it’… which I did, actually.
“You may be older, but there are still good parts out there. You’ve just got to be open to them.”