The Replacement: Original ending of BBC drama could have been VERY different
THE REPLACEMENT came to a conclusion last night and fans of the three-part drama were not impressed with the final moments.
The Replacement: Original ending of BBC drama could have been VERY different
Paula admits to killing Kay on The Replacement
Many of those who tuned into the last episode of the Morven Christie series took to social media to slam the instalment.
Some claimed it was "too rushed" and "disappointing" as Paula Reece's (played by Vicky McClure) planned to steal Ellen Rooney's job and family.
In the nail-biting instalment, viewers learned that Paula had in fact killed Kay Gillies (Neve McIntosh) and she was determined to show Ellen what it was like to lose a daughter.
But, it has been revealed that the ending of the series could have been very different if writers had stuck with one of the original plot ideas they had explored.
Ellen was convinced that Paula had killed her friend Kay
Vicky McClure starred as the sinister Paula Reece in the BBC drama
We flirted with Paula's daughter being the one who did the deed
It could have seen Paula's deceased daughter Caris alive and responsible for pushing Kay to her death in the opening episode.
Writer Joe Ahearne revealed: "In a very, very, very early version of the story, we flirted with Paula's daughter being the one who did the deed.
"We discussed that a bit because we thought that could be fun. Then the explanation for Paula's behaviour would be she's trying to protect her child and she's fighting for her child."
He went on to tell Radio Times: "But, the more we thought about it we thought, well, really the drama is between these two women so it's really got to be Paula at the end because it's about the two of them.
Ellen's husband cut her out of their daughter's life as he worried about her behaviour
The original ending would have seen Paula's daughter Caris murder Kay
"And also Ellen is the heroine so I want Ellen to be right at the end of the day."
That wasn't the only plot twist the team behind the drama thought about pursuing, with Joe revealing: "Another fan theory we had toyed with an rejected was Paula being an ex-patient of Ian's."
The Replacement is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.