Ally McBeal bosses 'furious' at Downey's arrest

The producers of Ally McBeal are said to be furious at Robert Downey Jr's latest arrest.

The series' creator David E Kelley is busily rewriting the final episodes which are due to be shown in America in May.

The current series has seen the relationship between Downey's character Larry and Ally develop.

It's believed the final two episodes were supposed to have involved the two characters deciding whether to continue with the relationship.

According to reports, sources on the Ally McBeal set said, even before Downey's latest arrest, that it hadn't been decided whether his character would return for the next series.

A statement by David E Kelley Productions said: "Robert is a unique talent and a very special person, and we wish him the best and hope for his full recovery.

"We are wrapping up the stories on the final few episodes of Ally McBeal for the season without him."

The final episodes of the current series are due to be shown during America's May Sweeps. The sweeps are special TV audience ratings periods that happen four times a year when audience figures are totted up and used to attract advertisers.

The networks traditionally save their big-event programming for the sweeps.