As viewers are no doubt aware by now, ABC has decided to cancel their Forever TV show after one season of 22 episodes. Series star Ioan Gruffudd took to Instagram to send a message to the show’s loyal viewers.
He wrote:
My dear friends, fans, supporters.
Tonight, as you all now know, I received a phone call that I was hoping not to receive, and to be honest I really wasn’t expecting it. I knew the numbers hadn’t been great, but I also knew the studio and the network both loved the show, and of course that it had an incredible fan base…so I thought we were in with a pretty good chance.
But sadly no, this time the cards weren’t dealt in our favor. Show business is like that. Hell, life is like that. You ride to the top of the wave and then you come crashing down again. I asked Alice to send out the sad news because I was a little bit shaken up and needed time to gather my thoughts.
So I sat down and started reading the thousands of Tweets in response to the announcement. And the more I read, the more I couldn’t believe it. The love, the sense of solidarity, the hope, the kindness, the support. Not just for the show, but for each other. And slowly I began to focus on what we had gained in the past year, rather than what we had lost in the last five minutes. I was overcome by a sense of gratitude. To have met you all and to have you all rooting for me and the show. At having a chance to play the role of my dreams, even if it was only for a year. To have been given the chance to bring Henry to life.
Watching the interaction of the FOREVER fans come together and share their love for the show has been breath-taking. It was you guys who held me up when I thought I could no longer go on. (Those days were LONG!) You made me smile when you pointed out the little things I did on screen that I thought had gone unnoticed. You gave me confidence when I accidentally found myself reading less than shining reviews. You were always with me, every step of the way, waving your flags, shouting your support for the show. It’s been an incredible, wonderful year, one that I will never, ever forget.
And guess what? The memories belong to us. We get to keep them ‘forever!’ Thanks again a million times for your unwavering support. Stay strong, be brave, and show kindness as often as you can!
Ioan xxx
What do you think? What do you think of Gruffudd’s message? Why do you think Forever has such a passionate viewership yet the ratings weren’t very good?
I’m 63 years old and just found out that my opinion means NOTHING! If your not 17 to 49 the money you spend to watch GOOD TV is wasted. How sad is that? Perhaps ABC should air a reality show about that!
Please renew Forever at least one more season. This series is a hidden gem. Give it one season and you’ll have a hit on your hands.
Thx,
Frank
I thought this was a great show with a lot of feeling. Emotion seems to be lost in this day an age in general on t.v. We watched the characters bond. Even my teenage sons loved this show.
I am sorry to see it go when it just got its footing. I am sorry for the actors whose chemistry was evident.
Maybe CBS can pick it up as they have done before.
Jerry\, that was just arrogant. Just because people don’t like what you like doesn’t make them ignorant. Viewers didn’t choose to cancel the show, the network programmers did.
There are a lot of us that are too busy to watch shows when they are broadcast and we record them to watch at a more convenient time, so maybe this doesn’t show up in your ratings. I really have never understood how that works, since no one has ever polled me on my show preferences. My family and the high school student I teach love Forever! It teachers History and Science, and is such an entertaining and educational show. There are so few of these on TV. There are so, so many of us out here that want intelligent… Read more »
We need less reality shows and more wonderful shows like “Forever”. Unfortunately the powers that be are missing a few screws.
I finally found a show that had good writing and great characters and they cancel it.
So, so, so sorry to see this show leave.
Extremely well written and beautifully acted show with an amazing potential for development. That is of course the death knell fo American Television. Thank you to a the writers and the cast for a delightful ride.
Once again the networks cancel a great show. Forever is one of the few shows i look forward to watching; its clever, refreshing, and entertaining. I’ve never been able to figure out how the networks decide on which shows to keep and which one’s to cancel; nobody ever asks me. I watch any new show with trepidation and wonder if i should waste my time since they are probably going to cancel it anyways; especially if it is smartly written. These networks really don’t care about the fans.
Absolutely a terrible decision. Show was good for 2 years. After NBC canceling Allegiance (which has been my favorite show), now Forever was my favorite.
I’d much rather watch Forever than Hawaii Five-O, which was just renewed for a 5th season.
Just shows the lack of intelligence of the American viewers.
SO SAD…there are so few quality shows anymore. I am so tired of all of the trash that continues to get aired, and then they cancel anything that actually has substance.
Jeez what a great guy, I don’t usually wander into the realm of actors lives but this is one I’d happily follow. Such kind words, you and the show deserved the fanbase. It’s a fantastic show and I’d love to see this overwhelming fanbase and support turn the tide and bring it back. Maybe to a channel that can appreciate it more. Because save for this and Once Upon a Time I don’t touch ABC, not even their news.
I am so very upset to see this show go. It was wonderful. I am so sick of the usual junk shows on TV, stupid teenagers, dysfunctional families, horror, murder and mayhem. Who makes these stupid decisions?
I am so sorry that this wonderful show was cancelled. My husband and I love it – it’s our favorite show currently on TV. Mr. Gruffudd, thank you for a wonderful performance and also for such a lovely message to your fans. You are a true talent AND a person with true class. I’m grateful to at least have had this one season of such a great show, and also VERY glad that it didn’t end on a cliffhanger. If the second-to-last episode had been the last (with Henry getting shot with the “special” gun and us NOT knowing if… Read more »
I am so bummed… that is all I have to say… ok one more… I can’t believe it is cancelled! How? Really?!?