Lots of fans let HBO know how they felt about the situation. A massive letter-writing campaign was organized and a full-page ad was placed in the trade paper Variety. Many said that if the pay-per-view channel cancelled the old west series then they would cancel their monthly subscriptions. HBO heard the outcry and finally came to an agreement with David to create a pair of two-hour films that would allow him to properly wrap up the series (in place of a fourth season). Each episode of Deadwood has typically represented one day in the lives of the South Dakota characters. Shifting to two-hour movies would allow David to break that format and complete the storys he had planned for the final season.
At the time, it was said the movies would be broadcast in 2007. According to SaveDeadwood.net, filming is now scheduled to start in June or July of this year (after the completion of the first season of David’s other HBO series, John from Cincinnati). Unfortunately, the longer it takes for the production to get going, the less likely that all of the cast members will be available. Many of the actors have very active careers outside the Deadwood series.
Actor Ian McShane (Al Swearengen on Deadwood) for example is scheduled to star in a revival of The Homecoming on Broadway in the Fall. His rehearsals would theoretically start in October, leaving a very limited time-frame to participate in the movies.
Though David Milch is reportedly excited about his scripts, Ian seems less than optimistic. “We’re still waiting to know if the two two-hour movies will done,” McShane said. “Today they say yes, they will be done, but who knows what they’ll say tomorrow. I’ve got a feeling in me that it’s not completely dead in some way, but who knows what they could do it?”
Though it seems like we’re closer to seeing the movies be made, they’re far from completed. Will all of the cast members be available? Will the movies fulfill the promise and wrap up the storylines properly? Time will tell so stay tuned! 
Truly shows the concern HBO has for it’s fans. Perhaps the vulgarity and violence were too much for some to accept, but there are enough fans that an impact would be made by cancelling subscriptions until there was some reaction from the “powers” at the network. Nice job HBO, all good returns to those who deserve it.
Dear HBO,
BIG mistake going with lame
John from Cincinnati and canceling Deadwood.
Who is in charge of programing these days? No
doubt Bart Simpson could do a better job.
I have bragged about HBO being the best source for anyone interested in outstanding, original, way above almost all TV shows. For that matter, many high production Hollywood junk didn’t compare to Deadwood or shows like Sapranos, Six FT Under, etc. For you to pull the best show going is insane. I wil brag no more. In fact, I can do nothing but put you down as a “Used to be.” But you’re real good at pissing people off now. To hell with H bs O. You should go broke soon and the scabs in charge institutionalized in a high… Read more »
Just read on CNN that they have cancelled John from Cincinatti. David, you should have stuck with Deadwood! One of the best series I have ever watched. HBO listen to your subscribers.
I am a huge Deadwood fan, so much so, that Deadwood time was like personal time for me.I took a break from the rest of the world,and got involved with something realistic on T.V. Not since I was a child watching the now ” Classics” have I ever watched anything more, I even watched the re-runs It took me there. It’s a shame that HBO would just drop the ball on something so Great.One show and any one watching with me was hooked. I wish the EXECUTIVES at HBO gave a HOOT, but it’s obvious they don’t. That says alot… Read more »
I constantly go on line to HBO to see if Deadwood is coming back! Is it or not? Our son and family are in Belgium and have watched the video’s of Deadwood and we have promised to let them know when it’s back. There are some stupid replacements on, not any can compare to DEADWOOD.
Peggy Lewis/Florida
HBO YOU SUCK CRAP.THE ONLY REASON I HAD HBO WAS FOR DEADWOOD.THAT WAS THE BEST SHOW I EVER WATCHED AND IM NOT EVEN A WESTERN FAN.I PAINT AIRCRAFT PARTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND EVERY MONDAY WE WOULD GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT DEADWOOD.THANKS FOR KILLING THAT FOR US.
I can’t believe HBO and Mr. Milch could do this to all Deadwoods’s loyal fans, especially to replace with the stupid show John from Cincinnati. My husband and I watched the first episode of that show (before we realized it was the reason Deadwood went off the air)and it was AWFUL! While I hope the movies are made I am also beginning to doubt that they will be. Thanks a lot HBO.
We have to learn to expect that a very high quality program has no chance for a long life in American Television. Unlike on the BBC where a quality show can run for decades, in America any well-done, outstanding projects are destined for the dust bin. We are a nation of ADDled brains. We can watch a show like American Idol for six years & millions of Americans are clamoring for more. I cannot find any satisfaction even from the knowledge that I am not and never will be a watcher of even a minute of that drivel because I’d… Read more »
My wife and I canceled HBO based on the fact they canceled Deadwood. Soprano’s last 3 seasons sucked. Deadwood was the only show that continued to live up to the first episode. HBO, you suck! Let showtime or some other outlet pick it up, perhaps FX?
HUGE fan of DEADWOOD myself and really hope they bring it back if at least for a few more viewing hours to wrap things up. What is with the last shot being Swearengen on his knees cleaning blood from a ***** he killed? I guess it is slightly symbolic, but was that the ending everyone else on here expected?
I am absolutely thrown. I have patiently been waiting through all the bullsh*t hbo tv movies, waiting for deadwood to come back on….. OK, first Carnivale, then six feet under, and now this? Oh, sh*t, who is picking this crap for us to pay to watch!?!?!?!? I am soooooo disappointed. What the f**k do these people think they are doing that they pull three shows, well four, if you want to count Sopranos, when they are at the height of the popularity. OK Sopranos was dying. But Carnivale and Deadwood have been like intense foreplay with no sex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have… Read more »
Talk about a huge fan of Deadwood I even thought about moving there,Crazy I know but I got so wrapped up in the series and then bam noting I’ve had it with HBO I will not invest any more time or money either if Mr.Milch does not pull his head out…I can’t beleive he would start a new series until Deadwood was finished. I would like to start to watch a new series (King Henry) is he going to do that to this one?
When I saw the promos for this summers new HBO series line-up, I was sick. I mean who watches this stuff? John from Cincinatti? As soon as they said from the creators of Deadwood I vowed never to turn it on in protest. HBO went from being a really cool network to a pay version of Lifetime. Rome is the only good show left, are they going to just cancel that as well? Maybe they can replace that with some boring show too. I can’t even remember the names of the other new shows since they looked so uninteresting. We… Read more »
I’m a biggggg Deadwood Fan myself and have been waiting patiently for those so called tv finale specials…..but unfortunatly I have to agree with Brian….I don’t think we’re going to be seeing anything happening….I can’t imagine doing the specials without the original cast….I’m sure I wouldn’t be interested in watching it without the original actors…what a big disappointment….I haven’t watched any other series since the cancellation of Deadwood….what is the point since they leave you hanging like they did with Carnivale and Deadwood…