Life: Damian Lewis Series Cancelled, No Season Three

LifeWhile today’s NBC infront presentation brought good news for fans of struggling shows like Heroes and Parks and Recreation. Those who enjoy Life weren’t so lucky.

Life revolves around detective Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis), a man who served a dozen years for murders that he didn’t commit. He lost all that was dear to him but survives thanks to his studies of Zen philosophy. He eventually rejoins the LAPD but is a very different man. Others in the cast include Sarah Shahi, Adam Arkin, Brent Sexton, Donal Logue, Brooke Langton, Robin Weigert, Jennifer Siebel, Victor Rivers, and Jessy Schram.

The NBC drama debuted in September 2007 to 10.15 million viewers and a 4.1/11 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. Later episodes sank to a low of 5.72 million and a 2/6. If not for the writers strike, NBC would have cancelled Life after one year. The execs instead decided to give it another try and renewed the series for a second season.

Unfortunately, the next round of episodes didn’t perform any better than the first. NBC needs fewer shows next season because of their Jay Leno experiment but, even if they didn’t, Life wouldn’t be coming back with such poor ratings.

NBC’s co-chair, Ben Silverman, made it official today and confirmed that Life won’t be coming back next season. Thankfully, the last episode of the series gave viewers some closure and answers to ongoing questions. These days, that’s a luxury that few other shows are given.


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{ 220 comments… read them below or add one }

1 M DeMott January 29, 2010 at 10:40 am

Story line was very creative with good supporting cast. Arkin contributed so much in a limited roll. Would love to see it back as I really enjoyed it.

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2 jacqueline February 3, 2010 at 4:31 pm

I am so fed up when a great show is cancelled, LIFE is one of them, I live in Austraila BRING BACK “LIFE” it was fun and interesting, the story was not even finished, its like reading a good book only to find that the ending has been ripped out.

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3 Chris February 4, 2010 at 4:13 am

Hi,

the last episode was broadcasted in Germany yesterday and I was really shocked that this was the end…
I hope NBC or whoever will change their mind…

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4 darla February 4, 2010 at 1:49 pm

what the heck? this was a good show.

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5 Derrick February 6, 2010 at 8:18 am

Terrible idea Life was one of the few good shows left. Parks & Recreations is horrible. Guess its all about who u kno

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6 John February 6, 2010 at 1:19 pm

BRING LIFE BACK Life is so good i want a season 3 NBC

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7 carla February 6, 2010 at 4:16 pm

“Life”….please bring it back! It was a great show.

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8 Cecly Corbett February 6, 2010 at 5:08 pm

I just finished watching seasons 1 and 2 of “Life”. Loved it! A quality show. ‘Must be why it was cancel. Can’t you make a follow up movie for TV? I want more!

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9 Thomas M February 9, 2010 at 4:11 am

I really liked Damain and the others. Life was fresh and funny. Would love to see it back .. soon. Maybe someone can give some money for producing…?

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10 SarahK February 9, 2010 at 6:15 am

Gutted it’s been cancelled – maybe another network will pick it up. Not fair NBC!

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