Despite being on Lifetime for less than a year, supernatural drama Blood Ties has developed an intensely devout following. Still, the last two episodes of the season were aired online only. Has the series been cancelled or will the vampire return for more adventures?
Blood Ties is a Canadian series that’s based on the books of fantasy author Tanya Huff. Set in Toronto, the series follows private investigator Vicki Nelson (Christina Cox) who left the police force when she began to lose her eyesight. She ends up partnering with mysterious Henry Fitzroy (Kyle Schmid) who turns out to be a 480-year-old vampire and the illegitimate son of Henry the VIII. The two slowly become attracted to one another, a situation complicated by Vicki’s relationship with her former partner, Mike Celluci (Dylan Neal).
The show premiered on March 11, 2007 on Lifetime Television in the U.S. and began airing several months later in Canada. While the first season of 13 episodes was still airing, Lifetime ordered a second season of nine more (the 22 episodes were actually originally produced as a single season). Lifetime had other programming scheduled for the summer months so the “second season” didn’t begin airing until October 12, 2007.
The show aired as part of Lifetime’s “Psy-Fridays” line-up, alongside Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead and America’s Psychic Challenge. According to TV Guide, because the other two shows ran out of episodes, Lifetime opted to rework the night’s schedule and relegated the two remaining Blood Ties episodes to an online release.
Lifetime hasn’t officially cancelled the show but the “online exclusive” treatment is usually reserved for a series that’s finished. So, if Lifetime cancels the series, is that the end? Maybe, or maybe not.
There is already interest in continuing the series among Canadian broadcasters but a U.S. partner is likely needed to help with the financing. Without that backing, we could have a rerun of what happened to the Falcon Beach teen drama last year. When ABC Family decided against a third season, it wasn’t financially possible for Canada’s Global TV to pay for Beach on its own and the show was cancelled.
If a new U.S. channel is found, Blood Ties executive producer Randy Zalken says the series will certainly be back. He told Eonline, “The sets are still available — they’ve not been destroyed — our talent is very eager to come back, and our show runner, Peter Mohan, is standing by.”
Zalken doesn’t believe the ongoing writers strike would be standing in the way if Blood Ties were to get a season three greenlight. He said, “I don’t think the strike is going to hurt us, because Canadian writers are not hindered by the U.S. guild rules. So, we can be delivering new shows for the fall — I guess that’s more than a lot of [U.S.] producers are saying now.”
Nice as that sounds, Zalken may be underestimating the WGA support of Canadian writers. Blood Ties author Tanya Huff had been writing episode commentary for the Lifetime website but stopped in support of the writers strike. Blood Ties screenwriter Denis McGrath is a solid supporter of the WGA strike as well.
For now, we may have to wait until Lifetime makes a final choice to either cancel or to renew the series. Part of their decision may hinge on how well the Blood Ties reruns perform next month. The entire series will be rerun on weekend nights beginning Saturday, February 9th. Will the vampire series rise again? Stay tuned! 
Blood Ties is a great show and deserves to come back. Look at the following this show has with no advertising from Lifetime. This show has brought Lifetime new viewers and if the put a little advertising in to this show as they have others it would certainly bring them many more. Please bring back Blood Ties… it is an amazing show and people are looking for more fantasy shows. Look how well moonlight is doing with the backing from their network. If Lifetime would just put in a little effort to show off Blood Ties it would be even… Read more »
I want my Blood Ties back! I feel like I have been teased mercilessly! I have watched from the beginning and am hooked! The actors are great, the story has endless possibilities and it needs to continue! Don’t leave me hanging!
It would not be fair for Lifetime to judge the fate of Blood Ties by the rerun marathon in Feb. It is being shown on LRW and hardly anyone gets that channel. Blood Ties can stand on it’s own merit. Surely millions of fans worldwide can’t be wrong. This show addicts you from the first episode. You become so wrapped up in the lives of the characters that you can’t and don’t want to get out. The chemistry of the actors is translated to the characters so well. I’m addicted to Blood Ties and I don’t want cured!!!!
I hope BLOOD TIES comes back for a 3rd season! The actors are incredible in their portrayal of the characters! The storylines are strong, there’s witty banter, moments that make one cry, and moments that make one laugh out loud! BLOOD TIES has everything!
More Please!
This show has too much potential, Please renew this show! The more people talk about it the more likly we will get another season. Keep it up guys we are being heard!
I am a loyal fan of Blood Ties. I am among many fans that have been fighting to have another season made. Blood Ties is an excellant orginal show in a time of crappy reality shows and re-runs. The problem with Lifetime making any decision based on next months re-runs would be, they are airing it on a channel Lifetime RealWomen, a channel not every cable provider has. This will greatly limit the amount of viewers, who would normally watch it. Blood Ties deserves a chance at another season, I just hope Lifetime wakes up to that fact, or even… Read more »
If you read the comments that Tanya Huff has posted on her website, you will see that she supports the writers and chose NOT to blog on Lifetime about the episodes that were aired exclusively online. Which is one of the sticking points of the WGA negotiations.
Tanya’s blog
http://andpuff.livejournal.com/
Date: 2007-11-30 14:04
Subject: Ethical Bloggyness
Security: Public
Tags: blood ties, wga
this show is way to good and has way too much potential to be cancelled all the fans are die hard ones and we want more than anything for the show to continue. And I’m sure we’d all like to thank you guys for posting this we want as much buzz as possible and we thrive on every new article.
Blood Ties really deserves the right to come back for another season. I’ve watched it from the first day and it’s only improved. Another network needs to pick it up. The fan base has gone international despite the fact that it’s a fledgling show and barely promoted by the network. Fans have done the legwork. Huge potential. The actors are great, they have wonderful chemistry. The plot gets better with time and has endless possibilities. It’s a win/win situation. The viewers want more..isn’t that who the network should be listening to?
read and comment please
Blood Ties is the best show ever. It has to be renewed. I wish Lifetime wouldn’t hinge the future on the success of a station most don’t get. They are no airing the reruns on Lifetime, they are airing them on LRW. Please help this show.
OMG-This article gives all of us Blood Ties obsessed fans a little more hope!! If anyone of importance or anyone that cares reads this, please check out Hey Nielsen, savemyshow.com, the Blood Ties blog on Lifetime, and tvvote.com on nominations for Blood Ties. PLEASE PLEASE don’t leave us hanging!! We love this show and these characters. We have NOTHING to look forward to on Fridays now!! BLOOD TIES RULES-CHRISTINA & KYLE ARE HOT AND THEY ROCK!!!!!!!!!
This is a wonderful show I didn’t find out about until November as it was so poorly advertised. Also I never watch Lifetime TV. This show has brought in new viewers to Lifetime and created a smart, funny, well written story about one of the sexist vamps out there. Please Lifetime renew!
Blood Ties is a great show! I heard about it through the internet and started watching online. I was hooked from the first show and finished watching all twenty-two episodes in 6 days! This show really needs to be renewed. The fanbase is there! Please give us back Blood Ties!!!!
Blood Ties is an excellent show. It should be continued, even if it has to be picked up by another network.