New Amsterdam: Is the FOX Series Cursed? As Good as Cancelled?
If you were watching FOX during the Summer months, you surely saw promos for what seemed to be one of the network’s next big Fall series. So, where did it go?
New Amsterdam tells the story NYC homicide detective John Amsterdam (Nikolaj Coster Waldau). Described as brilliant, reckless and mysterious, John is also secretly immortal. He was fatally injured back in 1642 but was saved by a Native American girl’s spell. While the spell saved his life, John is doomed to watch his friends and family age and die while he remains unchanged by time. He won’t become mortal again until he’s able to find his one true love. Other series regulars include Stephen Henderson, Zuleikha Robinson, and Alexie Gilmore.
On May 11th, the series was given a 13-episode commitment. Six days later, FOX announced its Fall schedule and New Amsterdam was headed for Tuesday nights at 8pm. The romantic action series had a prominent place in the network’s promotions and was scheduled to be the lead-in for House’s fourth season premiere on September 25th.
At the July press tour, it seemed that the producers didn’t have a firm grasp on the show’s creative direction. Soon afterwards, the pilot was reportedly overhauled. On August 3rd, Amsterdam’s debut was pushed back to an unspecified midseason date. Rumors are that network execs still have creative issues with the series.
Word is that production on Amsterdam has been or will be shut down soon with just seven or eight episodes completed. This means that five or six episodes of the 13-episode order haven’t been filmed – and probably never will be.
The official word is that executives want to evaluate what’s been completed thus far before moving forward. The production halt is likely due, at least in part, to the fact that FOX is overflowing with midseason series. But, considering the network’s seeming lack of enthusiasm, it looks possible that Amsterdam could be bumped again and aired as a Summer burn-off series (ala Traveler or the second season of The Loop). Will this series about an immortal get a fair chance at life? Time will tell so stay tuned! 
July 1st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I loved New Amsterdam! It was a great show. Bring it back you Fox idiots!
March 17th, 2009 at 8:21 am
We absolutely LOVED New Amsterdam!! What an AWESOME series! I can’t believe the dummies at FOX didn’t dee it for it’s incredible worth! So new & different! I hope at some point they will bring this show back. We would be fans again!
February 7th, 2009 at 11:35 am
This is a great show and really enjoyed the diferent story lines. Law and Order meets Highlander with people we care about way more than anyone L&O or H. Please work on this show for it soon return.
January 28th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I have been anxiously awaiting the return of Amsterdam, I loved it, that was the only show that made me drop everything and even turn off my phone in order to watch it without interruptions. Please bring it back…we are looking forward to the fairytale of finding true love.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Please bring back this show. My husband and I loved it and were really starting to enjoy watching it week after week. It had great suspense, it was sexy and interesting. As a history buff, I was entralled….shame on the execs who didn’t think the show deserved to stay on…
January 26th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Executives are not smarter that 5th graders and nor is their programing directed towards those who are. I was surprised that “New Amsterdam” made it to production at all. Fools: Sell the series to the SciFi channel or something. Hello?
- Anthony in NYC
p.s. I lived in an old Dutch house in Breukelen.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 am
I can not believe they did this! I absolutely loved that show. It was better than watching all the other crap they have on tv! It’s crazy. I am very mad that they took a half decent show and are probably gonna replace it with all that reality show crap. Fox needs a nice punch to the face, piledrive to the face (Nacho Libre, anyone?)
January 13th, 2009 at 11:41 am
It’s just a TV show, I’ll get over this for sure. That Zuleikha is a very attractive woman!
January 7th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
This was my favorite show. I loved this type or setting for this show. I loved the immortal aspect and the history in the show. I cannot believe that this show was canceled. What a waste. Maybe they will put on another reality show of someone making asses of themselves, just something that we need more of on TV. I hope but I doubt that it will come back but I can only hope.
December 27th, 2008 at 12:25 am
My husband and I really appreciated this show. Unlike many shows out there filled with so much unneeded garbage or overflowing with political correctness and not so great morals- not saying it was free of that but less in my opinion to other shows-it was just a great show with different twists and a great plot that stretches the imagination-my husband enjoyed the immortal side and idea similar to “Highlander”-unlike some of you. So I do hope that it is brought back somehow.