As expected, ABC has cancelled their summer series Black Box after one season of 13 episodes, reports EW.
Black Box revolves around a beautiful and brilliant neuroscientist (Kelly Reilly) who’s hiding the fact that she’s bipolar. The rest of the cast includes Ditch Davey, David Ajala, Terry Kinney, Ali Wong, David Chisum, Laura Fraser, Siobhan Williams, and Vanessa Redgrave.
The series debuted in late April to a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.87 million viewers. It was a mediocre start for the dramatic series and the numbers got progressively worse as new episodes were released. Towards the end of its 13 episode run, Black Box dropped to a 0.6 demo rating with 3.72 million.
The last two episodes aired on July 24th, leaving the main character’s professional fate up in the air.
What do you think? Did you like the Black Box series? Do you think that it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season? Why do you think the show didn’t catch on?
ABC had an opportunity to shed light on the day to day struggles of functional people dealing with mental illnesses and they dropped the ball. The show was smart and compelling. I guess that spot can be filled with more mindless reality TV or something equally useless.
I love this show! I can’t believe they cancelled it like tht u can’t just have the season endding with a cliff hangar like tht n not have another season. Like wut happens after if its gonna end like tht then at least have a following season after or don’t end it like tht at all. It’s nor fair to the ppl who watched this from the start n then u just cancel it n who cares if it has less watchers that it had since the beginning there r lots just waiting 4 the next season lots support it… Read more »
I am very disappointed they canceled black box! I reality enjoyed the show in nor site where abc is getting there ratings but I’m am in there target demographic of 18-40 and I loved it!!! Stop cancelling good shows and think about where, who and who are giving your ratings!!! Did you stop and look around your social media conversations and comments? No looks like you didn’t now we are back to cap shows thanks!
I am not a girl to comment ever, but must about this show. It is so well done and engaging. I don’t understand how you could let such a good series go. Need to get your head examined?
I wish I could be the executive producer for season 2 of Black Box. These are things I would change: First the title. I think “Dr. Black” or something else would’ve been better. Lynn Redgrave should’ve had a more compassionate role as her psychiatrist. I would cut out the “brain condition of the week”. I would put doctor Black in a teaching facility for mentally ill patients. She would secretly use patients with bipolar for research. There would have been a more consistent story line with her brother, sister in-law, and daughter. Focus would be more on the family and… Read more »
this show suffered the same fate most abc shows do, they show a few episodes then take an unexpected break and wonder why it failed.
I would love to hire Vanessa Redgrave as my doctor.
She shared important knowledge about Bipolar disorder and applied it to Kelly Reilly’s character.People in general think that people with this disorder are not capable of the creativity and empathy that Katherine has demonstrated .
also pointed out were the pitfalls , challenges and the heartbreak of being bipolar
This was the first well and fairly presented tv show I have seen about bipolar disorder I Athink it is a shame and a loss that it will not continue
A fantastic show !!! Get the Reality shows off the air – they’re a waste of time. This was a really amazing show with Drama, romance, education, intrigue, etc. This is terribly sad it was cancelled! You need to give a show 2 Seasons to catch on!
Getting tired of ABC cancelling good shows – if it was on a cable channel it would’ve survived. Good show, great cast – very interesting to watch.
Very disappointed that it has been cancelled. I really liked the show and watched it every week. I thought Kelly was fantastic in the role.
Please don’t stop this show….. I really loved it.
Every damn time there is a show for intelligent people, it is cancelled. And if the 18-40s do not watch it, they dump it. I am a senior who enjoys good tv drama. Kelly Reilly was amazing in her role as Dr. Black. I am more than disappointed……..think I will just read. Shame on you, ABC!!!!!!
very well thought out, great info for greater understanding of mental challenges and how drugs aren’t so easy. Very Very disappointed in ABC ~ where is your courage? Why do we have so many stupid, thoughtless shows, reality shows. Let’s have something for people who like to think. This show was demystifying a very important disability and proving that people with challenges are just people like everyone else. Very bad decision ABC
It did start out slow — but “we” finally caught on and liked it along with the characters….so surprised ABC decided to cancel – was looking forward to another season.
I really loved this show and am terribly disappointed that it is not returning. There is so much crap on T.V. and yet they cancel an excellent series.