To no surprise, HBO has cancelled Enlightened, their low-rated dramedy starring Laura Dern. The series was created by Dern and co-star Mike White and ran for two seasons and 18 episodes.
“It was a very difficult decision,” HBO said in a statement. “We’ve decided not to continue Enlightened for a third season. We’re proud of the show, and we look forward to working with Mike White and Laura Dern in the future.”
First run episodes of Enlightened attracted an average of 170,000 viewers each week in season one. Season two saw an increase to a 220,000 viewer average but it was still the cable channel’s weakest show by far.
Playing a self-destructive executive who has a breakdown, Dern won a Golden Globe for the role in 2012.
The de-factor series finale aired on March 3rd.
What do you think? Are you sorry that Enlightened won’t be back for a third season? What did you like or dislike about the series?
I only just discovered it on May 23rd, 2020! It was so good, I marathoned both seasons in one day! (coronavirus quarantine freed up lots of time!) I didn’t even know it existed prior to this! I actually looked it up after I watched it and was shocked to find it was filmed in 2011-2013! I would love to see more! I’ve never really been a Laura Dern fan, but loved her in this!
I really enjoyed this show. Laura Dern was so amazing to watch. I was really looking forward to season 3. I’m so sad it won’t be coming back.
So sad, I really loved the show….watched it on Prime. Loved the characters!!
I am disappointed that enlightened has been cancelled . I was really getting invested with the characters… So happy that Tyler was finding love and happiness…… Tyler the happy ghost!
My husband and I (both 60 years old) watched the first two seasons of Enlightened and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were so looking forward to seeing another season but looks like we’re out of luck. Laura Dern is a great actress and played a great roll in the show. It’s just a shame that season 2 was the end.
I’m watching the last episode of Enlightened.. Season two.. I’m crushed to find there is no Season Three!! This series is awesome!!! I’m a 51 year old woman and related so completely to Amy, I’m not sure what I will watch now while I’m working at my desk.. drat!!!! Bring it back PLEASE.. I need it. I noticed that I felt so good after watching episodes..it was made just for me.. get it back and hurry!
Enlightened was truly an enlightened work speaking to the masses about what is important in life. Pls reconsider canceling it. We need this show!!
Another great show cancelled. I DVRed it and “Girls” every Sunday. “Girls” brought back so many memories from my early 20’s (that was early 1980’s for me, but my life was way more like “Girls” than “Sex in the City”) and Enlightened reminded me of myself in my late 20’s/early 30’s, back when I was an idealist and stood up for right, not might. Good times. The show will be missed by everyone who identified with Amy.
Truly unfortunate. This show was unique and far better than anything on network and consistent with the best of HBO programming. Laura Dern was fabulous, as was the supporting cast. Show surely deserved another season, to see where it could go. Many of the shows were “flimic” in their feel and look, and the underlying themes were excellent. Very VERY sorry to see this prematurely cut, but HBO killed Deadwood, Carinvale, and Tell Me You Love Me prematurely – so it’s par for the course.
Be an agent of change, save Enlightened. Please voice your support and sign the petition to save the show!
http://enlightenedfans.tumblr.com/supporttheshow
http://www.change.org/petitions/netflix-amazon-hulu-directv-pick-up-the-critically-acclaimed-show-enlightened
The right call in my opinion, season 2 got really weird and quite retarded. Honestly the way it ended didn’t really leave a lot of room for another season since the whole premise of the show from day one was to take down the company, which they did.
NO NO NO NO NO! This is really bad news. Where’s the online petition to save Enlightened? Or is it time to cancel HBO?