(Starz)
The early days of Queen Elizabeth I won’t continue to unfold on Starz. The cable channel has cancelled Becoming Elizabeth, so we won’t be seeing a second season. The first season of eight episodes finished airing in early August.
A historical drama series, the Becoming Elizabeth TV show stars Alicia von Rittberg, Oliver Zetterström, Romola Garai, Jessica Raine, Tom Cullen, John Heffernan, Jamie Blackley, Alexandra Gilbreath, Jamie Parker, Leo Bill, Bella Ramsey, Ekow Quartey, Alex Macqueen, and Olivier Huband. The story revolves around the younger years of Elizabeth Tudor (Rittberg), long before she ascended the of England throne and became Queen Elizabeth I. An orphaned teenager, she became embroiled in the political and sexual politics of the English court. The death of King Henry VIII sees his nine-year-old son Edward (Zetterström), take the throne and sets into motion a dangerous scramble for power when Elizabeth, Edward, and their sister Mary (Garai), find themselves pawns in a game between the great families of England and the powers of Europe who vie for control of the country.
Airing on Sunday nights, the first season of Becoming Elizabeth averaged a 0.01 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 136,000 viewers in the live+same day ratings (including DVR playback through 3:00 AM). While these numbers don’t include further delayed or streaming viewing, they are a very good indicator of how a show is performing, especially when compared to others on the same channel. There can be other economic factors involved in a show’s fate, but typically the higher-rated series are renewed and the lower-rated ones are cancelled. Becoming Elizabeth was one of the lowest-rated scripted series on Starz in the overnights.
The show was created and written by Anya Reiss. She broke the news of the show’s cancellation by Starz via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/anya_reiss/status/1572616333409554439
https://twitter.com/anya_reiss/status/1572642829578506241
https://twitter.com/anya_reiss/status/1572687177796009997
https://twitter.com/anya_reiss/status/1572671028597334017
What do you think? Did you follow the Becoming Elizabeth TV series on Starz? Are you sorry to hear that this drama won’t be getting a second season?
The only problem I had with the series was the lead actor who played Elizabeth. I just felt she was a bad choice for the part. Please don’t misunderstand me I’m not saying she’s a poor actor just wrong for the part. Other then that I liked and watched all of season 1.
Please bring it back! I know the story but would love for it to continue. I hate when they don’t give a show a chance to develop. Especially when it has so much potential. So sad.
I loved this show and there was so much potential for several seasons to play out all that took place leading up to it. Sad it was cancelled.
I would have loved to have seen a Season 2, despite some flaws with Season 1. [For example: Some aspects of the show could have used some editing or adjusting, particularly the excessive time spent on the the Seymour-Elizabeth relationship. Honestly, we got it really early. We did not have to repeatedly see Seymour do the same thing. That just became annoying. The reactions of Elizabeth, Kat and Anne become much less credible and more difficult for the actors to truthfully play. A second example is the casting of the title character. The supporting characters far out shown her and… Read more »
I loved Becoming Elizabeth. So historically correct. Please bring it back! Waiting for season 2!
I know pretty much about the Tudors, so nothing was new to me from the show… But I was hooked! It was so interesting to watch, especially seeing such a lighter, more human portrayal of Mary Tudor. I know the ending wasn’t a cliffhanger, but made me want to watch a potential second season all the more! The second season would have been even more interesting to watch, with the demise of Edward VI, Jane becoming queen, Mary taking her rightful crown, and so much more… Can’t believe it’s cancelled…
I know the Tudor story pretty well, nothing was new to me from watching the series… But I was hooked! I loved watching it so much, especially the story of Mary Tudor (later Queen Mary I). The show wasn’t left with a cliffhanger, true, but it made me want to watch more! Second season would have been so great to watch, the demise of Edward VI, Jane becoming queen, Mary taking her rightful crown… Can’t believe it’s cancelled …
Ridiculous to cancel. It’s history! I was a fan of The Tudors. This is a prequel! There is so much to the story of Elizabeth 1. I felt we were just getting started. I watched The Spanish Princess, which was great. I think it’s important for ppl to know something about history. I hv a neighbor who is 31 and I shocked that she knows nothing! I feel it’s up to channels like Starz to make an investment like shows such as these. Maybe Netflix will take it. Hope so.
Very sorry to hear this. My husband and I truly enjoyed the show. I hope they reconsider.
I loved the show!!! It was very interesting and I loved seeing the character of Catherine Parr. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a depiction of this person done so well before. Ever. the actress who played her did a really good job portraying the fear and the terror to be married to the tyrant. I wish there was more. I want to see more about bloody Mary too!!
I loved he series & was looking forward to more! Couldn’t Netfliz pick it up Please!!
a wonderful series, should continue on more suitable venue — Masterpiece Classic? Netflix? Starz was the wrong place.
I actually liked the show and was looking forward for season 2!
I hope they could change their mind and make season 2
wow Reiss’ attitude…
To be honest, I’m glad there will be no season 2. This show was (sadly) poorly written and executed. The only thing I really enjoyed, was the (made up) relation between the siblings.
Not a shocker, its a pity the first several episodes focussed so much on the characters it did, they were poorly acted and just not very interesting… until Catherine Parr and her foolish husband died it was a very mediocre show, and i guess as i may have written previously, there was no new insightful elements added here, and the Tudor story is done to death. Its time to move onto a new dynasty me thinks.