Just when viewers were beginning to get to grips with new HBO horse racing drama Luck it has been cancelled during filming of the second series due to the death of a race horse. Two horses died during the making of the first series of the Dustin Hoffman-starring show last year, prompting complaints from animal welfare groups. Now a third horse has died in an accident prior to going in front of the cameras so show makers HBO have decided to cancel the show and launch a full investigation.

HBO released a statement saying that they believe the safety of the horses was not compromised by filming but they will nevertheless not be continuing with production. A statement says: ‘It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series Luck. Safety is always of paramount concern. We maintained the highest safety standards throughout production, higher in fact than any protocols existing in horse racing anywhere with many fewer incidents than occur in racing or than befall horses normally in barns at night or pastures. While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future. Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision.’

The show has been a hit in several countries despite complaints from viewers and critics that it is difficult to follow. We reported last week that the NY Times critic had described the show as ‘unnecessarily opaque’, but viewers on social networks have indicated that it becomes clearer as the first series unfolds. It seems that they will now not get the chance to enjoy a second series of the show.