(Photo by: Laura Magruder/ FOX)
The mysterious island resort has been closed by FOX. The network has cancelled its Fantasy Island series, so it’s not returning for a third season. The de facto series finale aired last night.
A drama series, the Fantasy Island TV show is based on the 1977-84 series of the same name. This incarnation stars Roselyn Sánchez, Kiara Barnes, and John Gabriel Rodriquez, with Alexa Mansour recurring. The story is set at a luxury resort, where any fantasy guests request is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Different people arrive at the resort with dreams and desires and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island. Elena Roarke (Sanchez) is the steward of this mysterious island and is a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke. Assisting Elena is Ruby Okoro (Barnes), a young woman with an old soul who arrives with a terminal illness and is given a new lease on life there. There’s also pilot Javier (Rodriquez), the head of island transportation and a jack of all trades, and Helene (Mansour), a young woman who comes to the island looking for her biological father. Guest stars in the second season include Frankie J. Alvarez, James Denton, Izzy Diaz, Rachael Harris, Teri Hatcher, Cheryl Hines, Marie Osmond, Kyla Pratt, Jason Priestley, Andy Richter; Jai Rodriguez, and Lynn Whitfield.
Airing on Monday nights, the second season of Fantasy Island averages a 0.20 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 1.77 million viewers. Compared to season one, that’s down by 32% in the demo and up by 4% in viewership in the live+same day ratings (includes DVR playback through 3:00 AM). In the live+7 day ratings, episodes pick up over 50% more viewers.
The ratings for the show’s first season weren’t very good, and a significant decline in the demo numbers this season likely hurt its chances of survival. Even though the series was produced economically, with such low ratings, the network likely decided to roll the dice and make way for a new show.
“We were very pleased with Fantasy Island’s fun and escapist creative, which we had hoped would gain strong traction among viewers,” according to a network statement. “Sony Pictures Television is an important partner of ours, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on Accused, Alert: Missing Persons Unit, Doc, and the upcoming animated series Universal Basic Guys/Hoagie Bros. We’d also like to thank Fantasy Island’s cast, led by Roselyn Sánchez, Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez, crew and executive producers Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and Anne Clements for their partnership on the series.”
What do you think? Have you enjoyed watching the Fantasy Island TV series on FOX? Are you sorry to know that it’s not been renewed for a third season? Did you expect it to be cancelled?
I am very disappointed that Fox is canceling Fantasy Island. It’s a fun and uplifting show. I hope that another network will pick up the show. Fox is making a big mistake.
Here’s hoping another network picks this up. This was a fun, fantastic series. Netflix…where are you? You brought Lucifer back, how about Fantasy Island?
There’s got to be another network to pick Fantasy Island up for a third season. Maybe ABC, NBC, CBS, The CW or Freeform.
Very sad to hear this isn’t coming back for a third season. I was a fan of the original and loved the fact that Roselyn Sanchez made sure the island of Puerto Rico was showcased in this new version.
I love this show! What a refreshing hour show to watch. I love all the characters Please do another season! I always am so excited when Fantasy Island is on. I can’t wait to watch it every week!
Sad to hear Fantasy Island got cancelled by FOX. The show deserved better. It’s sad most people nowadays want shows full of blood, profanity, and nudity – anything else is boring for them. Just another aspect of why our world is headed in the direction it is. Hope another network or streaming service gives the show a second chance. Plot lines could be endless.
Agree.
I have to agree with the other people responding to the cancellation of Fantasy Island, FOX has really dropped the ball, this show was well written and had wonderful actors, both regular and guests, great story lines and so nice to see a show that is not full of nudity, profanity and blood.
I enjoyed the series. The actors were perfectly placed in each character!!
I enjoyed this show a lot. I loved seeing people show up on the island from other shows. This was a fun escape. Too bad Fox dropped the ball yet again.
I’m so sorry they are canceling this well written and super fun show. I was privy to have watched the original series and this revamped version was just as good. Loved the characters and the shows story lines. The famous guest were so much fun to sew. If you love this show too please comment maybe there’s still hope of enough people make a fuss about the cancelation. So sad
I loved Fantasy Island. It might have had better ratings if it aired on another day and time. Monday at 8:00 is a tough time slot.
I can not believe all the great shows that Fox has cancelled, I have no use for Fox!!!!
I hope abc will pick up fantasy island season 3 just like 911
I agree with you.
I hope ABC will pick it up for a third season, too.
I totally agree. I have no interest in Fox after dropping Fantasy Island and 911. I won’t be looking to watch any new series that Fox comes up with because I don’t trust they will last.
I am saddened by this news. I was just thinking tonight what a positive Latino cast this show had. It wasn’t a mindless comedy but rather a smart and intelligent drama with lots of good messages. This show will be greatly missed for it intelligence and warm characters. So sad we have seen the last of Elena and Javier.
Yes, and Segundo played by Daniel Lugo, a telenovela icon from Puerto Rico. I will mis this show!
FOX SUCKS and I am done with your network. Idiots are running the place.