The show hasn't been culled just yet

The rapturous performance of Fiona Shaw in the espionage caper has secured a prequel series being developed for the BBC.

A 'Killing Eve' spin-off is in its early stages of development, which is set to focus on the early years of MI6 spymaster Carolyn Mertens.

Easily one of the biggest highlights of the entire four-season series, the role has been played by Fiona Shaw since season one launched in 2018. However, it's unlikely that the Irish actor will return for this new creation as it will be a prequel about her years climbing the ranks of the British Secret Intelligence Agency and her time with the former Soviet Union.

An insider said: "In many ways, Carolyn was a bit of a curveball choice for a prequel, but in other ways, she was an obvious choice.

"The creators could have gone for Villanelle or Eve, but Carolyn provides a different take on things. Bosses felt that 'Killing Eve' had to come to an end but its spirit should live on in a new form, and this is the project they’re focusing their efforts on now."

The exciting news comes as fans eagerly await the arrival of the final episodes of the series. The first six episodes of season four have already aired this side of the Atlantic on RTÉ One and BBC One, with the season finale set for two weeks time.

It will see the dramatic ending to the spy thriller starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh as the cat and mouse/romantic interests Eve Polastri and Villanelle. Will either of them make it out alive? Both have endured near-misses over the seasons, so only time will tell how their messed-up fairytale ends.

Catch all episodes of 'Killing Eve' on the RTÉ Player. The finale of season four will air on Tuesday, April 19.

Via The Sun.