Privileged: CW Series Cancelled, No Season Two for Joanna Garcia and Company

Though it was looking like the underperforming CW series had a chance at survival, the network has decided to pull the plug on Privileged.

Privileged follows the story of Megan Smith (Joanna Garcia), a perky young journalist who becomes a live-in tutor for two wealthy teenage girls (Lucy Hale and Ashley Newbrough). Others in the cast include Michael Cassidy, Allan Louis, Brian Hallisay, Kristina Apgar, and Anne Archer.

Despite positive reviews and buzz, Privileged debuted on September 9, 2008 to just 2.64 million viewers and a 1.2/3 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. Those numbers weren’t great for the junior network and ratings for subsequent episodes fell significantly over the rest of the season.

The network made multiple attempts to boost the show’s audience — giving it more exposure by rerunning episodes in various timeslot — but most viewers just didn’t seem to be particularly interested.

Though the ratings certainly hadn’t mandated it, the network had been considering bringing Privileged back for another season. A few weeks ago, it was announced that the CW would rerun the series during the summer months, an indication that the series still potentially had a future.

But, though Privileged matches the CW’s target demographic, the network has ultimately decided to cancel it. The CW has several potentially strong new series in the hopper and would rather take a chance on them.

Following the cancellation news, series creator Rina Mimoun wrote to Michael Ausiello, “It’s truly heartbreaking. I’m so grateful to everyone out there who supported our little show and fell in love with Megan Smith. She was the most delightful character I’ve ever had the pleasure to write and watching JoAnna Garcia bring her to life every day was a gift I will never forget.”

She concluded, “I’m incredibly proud of the work we did and forever indebted to all the fans, critics and to Warner Bros. for being so wonderful and supportive. I will miss this more than you know.”

How would Megan’s story have ended? We may likely never find out.

Image courtesy CW.

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