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 am very disappointment the “Forever” is being cancelled, this was a very good show that had a steady build to it. The characters were believable and likeable – I am very disappointed in ABC and again you are giving a really good reason to take my television viewership to another channel. The shows that ABC is producing are not very good guess I will just watch more HGTV!! I loved “Forever” and its characters. Good bye and thank you for a very good year!! I enjoyed watching.
From uk. Just found out that Forever has been cancelled. Hopefully another channel will take over. PLEASE..It’s the best show on tv. #GUTTED.
I and my husband are so disappointed that Forever is not going to be forever. When you look at some of the rubbish that has been going on for years it makes you wonder at the mentality of some people. Our viewing has become very selective and appreciate all that must have gone into making Forever that little bit different and less run of the mill. Take a tip from the writers and resurrect it before its too late.
I don’t know who is making the decisions to cancel or keep a show at ABC – but they should be fired! I stand with all the others who are devoted fans of the canceled show Forever, and quite frankly I will not be watching ABC again either. There is not one show that is of interest to me on ABC – I only enjoyed watching Forever – and now some idiots have decided that they know what’s best. Well, they’re wrong. I will miss watching Forever, a very interesting show that I looked forward to each week.
It is perhaps instructive to know that Disney owns ABC.
My whole family is so upset that Forever has been cancelled. ABC finally had an intelligent show that made you think. The acting was superb, the historic flashbacks, the medical knowledge was all great. The show really covered all of the bases.Really disappointed. Most of the ABC shows insult my intelligence and I refuse to watch them.
I cried when I read of Forever’s cancellation and then read the touching letter from Ioan. I didn’t like the show… I LOVED IT. I have been a fan of the star of the show since Horatio Hornblower and Amazing Grace. Forever had it all. Great plot, wonderful characters (from the quirky and lovable ME sidekick to Abe the loving son – all of them) good CLEAN storytelling – no sexual pantomiming (oh, that’s probably why it got cancelled.) Ioan is SUCH a class act, his fan letter was so moving and well written. I want to FIGHT THIS. Is… Read more »
I certainly echo everyone’s sentiments when I say that ‘Forever’ was wrongly and sadly and prematurely cancelled. The creative story could have certainly gone forward with its good writing and talent. I looked forward to watching it each week, and if my schedule didn’t allow then I would always record it. So many I know agree that ABC made a poor decision that hopefully can be reversed. I am encouraged by Forever’s strong and vocal fan base; I also believe in the power of unity and persistence! I join the efforts and voices to do what it takes to persuade… Read more »
I am old enough to know better but still foolish enough to believe that shows like Forever will be renewed. If they don’t involve gratuitous violence or sex, they are likely to get the axe quickly. I get it, it is all about ratings and dollars and to that end, it is tough to argue. Just considered it the consequence of the culture we find ourselves living in now.
I stand with you Ioan and the cast of “Forever” and because ABC decided to cancel this awesome show and Revenge, I am boycotting this network after the season finale shows of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal & American Crime are finished and I will never watch this network again. I think many who love this show and Revenge should boycott this network too. Keep your crud ABC because I know you will lose many viewers and you just lost me.
Wow, you’re really dedicated to this boycott. “I’m done with you guys after a few weeks no but seriously I’m not gonna watch you anymore believe me guys I’m for reals”
BRING THIS BACK, BRING THIS BACK. I really love this show, and besides leaving us with no final answers is never good. This is a different kind of show that I’M not use to but love…..
Wow. Just read the news and I can’t believe it. Loved the casting and the story. Looked forward to the history within the story. However, I only gave it a chance to begin with, as I appreciate the superior acting of Ioan and Judd. Looked forward to their interaction on screen, both are true gentlemen. Joel added the perfect balance of fun to make me laugh. Alana and Donnie added a “Castle” feel to the team, they are awesome! Lorraine….I love her….engaging, what presence; beautiful lady. I cannot accept that we will never get to see the possibilities of this… Read more »
VERY DISAPPOINTED! I think this show is great and with Henry telling Jo his secret it was going to get even better. I hope the network reconsiders their decision. I will be VERY disappointed with them if they don’t.
My husband and I are quite disappointed in the cancellation of Forever! There are 3 TV shows we watch each week: Forever, Scorpion andElementary. We’ve especially enjoyed the plots, the characters and the ongoing storyline of Forever. No wonder that more and more people are subscribing to premium channels in order to watch something other than tiresome reality shows!
I would just like to say that Mr Gruff udder is one of the best actors I have seen in a long time, he has made Henry a real person for me and I will greatly miss Forever and all the cast. Thank you all for your work.