A&E has decided to get rid of another original drama series. After two years on the air, they’re dropping The Cleaner.
In The Cleaner, Benjamin Bratt plays William Banks, a recovering drug addict from Los Angeles. Following the birth of his daughter, Banks made a deal with God that he would end his drug use and help others beat their addictions as well. He and his team of recovering addicts use whatever means necessary to help end others’ addictions. Others in the cast include Grace Park, Esteban Powell, Kevin Michael Richardson, Amy Price-Francis, Liliana Mumy, and Brett DelBuono.
The drama kicked off on July 15, 2008 and attracted 2.58 million viewers with a 1.0 rating in the 18-49 demo. Season one averaged 1.1 million viewers in initial viewings and 4.2 million through multiple airings. A&E boasted that The Cleaner was the network’s highest rated original drama to date among adults 18-49 and 25-54.
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When the show was renewed for a second season, Bob DeBitetto, A&E’s President and General Manager, said, “The Cleaner has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first season… Its authentic, dramatic storytelling combined with superb acting, led by an exceptional performance by Benjamin Bratt, has struck a chord with A&E viewers. It is exactly the sort of high quality, engaging programming that our fans have come to expect.”
Now, following a drop in ratings for season two, A&E has changed its mind about The Cleaner. The second round of episodes concluded on September 15th and, according to THR, the cable channel has decided not to order a third.
No reason was given for the cancellation but A&E typically draws more viewers for cheaper, unscripted programming. The Beast, another A&E drama, was cancelled earlier this year, months prior to star Patrick Swayze’s death.
What do you think? Are you sorry to see The Cleaner go? Was the show any less compelling or watchable in season two?
Bring The Cleaner back!
Love shows where the junkies get well and pass it on need more of it
I think it was a huge mistake not to continue this series. It was one of the true life darmas that was so true to life. I wish another network would pick it up and put it back in production.
I seriously loved the TV show the Cleaner. It brings a lot of hope to people with addictions; that getting clean and staying that way is possible. It’s true reality tv in every aspects of addiction. I had my son watch it with me as well; it taught him a lot about the seriousness of addiction, warning signs and how drugs and alcohol will ruin lives. The actor Benjamin Bratt was awesome as well as the rest of the characters. Had I only known about this show back when it first came out. I learned of this tv show through… Read more »
I would absolutely love to see a season 3 of the cleaner. Its my most favorite show of all time. Its a good show for young teenagers, struggling addicts, recovering addicts, and even familys that has a loved one struggling with addiction so they can get an idea of what that person is actually going through and how hard it is for an active user to get and stay clean. This show is a huge inspiration to me. Please please make a season 3
I really like this show too. It’s RAW AF. Real Life is better than Fiction. They should pitch season 3 to Netflix. It’s about to be 2019 & I don’t understand how they haven’t filmed season 3 yet.
Yes I would love to see another series the show is just awesome us the same actors
Benjamin Bratt was excellent playing his role in The Cleaner. This series would be very beneficial for the viewers in the country because it teaches younger audiences the effects and downfalls of using drugs/ alcohol. Benjamin was showing audiences that they can get help / treatment. The world has too many young people dying of overdoses everyday. I believe putting The Cleaner back on will get twice as many viewers and will get people to start thinking. It is beneficial to the society today.
Benjamin Bratty was super playing his role in The Cleaner. This series is beneficial to the country because it teaches younger audiences about the effects of using drugs/ alcohol and what happens. Benjamin was showing people that they can get help. The world has too many young people dying of overdoses. I believe putting The Cleaner back on will dramatically get twice as many views and would be beneficial. Benjamin is a extremely talented man.
I was very much looking forward to Season 3 of THE CLEANER and Goggled it only to be sadly disappointed to find out there will be NO Cleaner anymore!!! It was the only thing I looked forward to on the TV to watch when I got a chance to sit down. I got hooked on it and couldn’t wait to see the next Episode. I do wish they would reconsider and NOT CANCEL IT! START FILMING AGAIN, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
Bring back this show, Benjamin and the cast are the best. Very believable. Many can learn from this. Benjamin is the best.
I cannot understand why this show was cancelled. It educated many about addiction, gave hope to those who suffer from addiction and to their families
I loved the show. Bratt was awesome. I just hated that It showed the break up of what could have been an awesome story of love conquers ALL.
I absolutely loved the show The Cleaner. I believe alot of people who watched it could relate even when they blievd they didnt have a “problem”. I know for myself i can relate to alot of the things that happened in the show and watching it gave a sense of hope that i can stay clean that it is possible. Idk the show brought a bunch of tears and smiles it really touched my heart. Really wish there were more then 2 seasons ;(
The Cleaner in my opinion really was a good show. Awareness is needed. Seeing over and over what drug addiction was doing to these people in these stories could have influenced people to make better decisions.
The Cleaner would have saved more lives and families. If it had not been cancelled. The drug epidemic would have been curtail int North America. But the pharmacy and Medical Doctors would not have been the type of money, they were allowed to make
Really awful decision. The Cleaner is excellent and very timely. We need to see this and more decent programs about the horrors of addiction. They should reproduce it and explore the gambling and sex addiction as well.