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 too have contacted Netflix to urge them to pick up Forever. I started watching it online in January (I’m in Australia so it wasn’t advertised until Dec and I didn’t have the internet then so I decided to see if it was online – IT WAS!) and have watched it everytime a new episode was posted. Dratted ABC for going weeks between some episodes, that is one way to really annoy your audience and put them off watching! Well done to those who didn’t quit. If Netflix do take it over I hope they don’t drag it down. Many… Read more »
I am on the late sunset side of 70 and have never written to any celebrity or cared too much when tv shows were cancelled (even when Johnny Carson retired, I cried and let go–he was my favorite since the tv show, Who do you trust!) so, please know that FOREVER being cancelled is a major upset for my whole family and me. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE reconsider and let FOREVER continue forever. when Abe said “tell her” my thoughts were that the show had a great cliff hanger but now i feel like ABC hung their best steadfast viewers. please… Read more »
See also comments from https://deadline.com/2015/05/forever-star-ioan-gruffudd-cancellation-comment-letter-1201422841/#comment-list-wrapper
https://www.facebook.com/ForeverOnABC
https://twitter.com/ioangruffudd/status/596547612498604032?lang=en
https://twitter.com/hashtag/RenewForever?src=hash&lang=en
https://twitter.com/hashtag/Forever?src=hash&lang=en
https://instagram.com/p/xz9Q4fyLWc/?taken-by=ioangruffudd click on the pocket watch
Who are this idiots making the decisions! To cancel an entertaining show like Forever, but Ooh, let’s keep the Kardashians on the air. Yea, now that’s a really entertaining program, a bunch of ***** airing out there dirty laundry!
I had no idea the show was cancelled. I saw the last episode thinking it was the season finale but noticed it said “serious” finale and googled to find out if I was reading it correctly. I loved this show! The actors were amazing, the storyline was unique and interesting… I hope the network reconsiders and brings Forever back. Especially after ending with such a cliffhanger!
I LOVED this show and I am so saddened to hear it was cancelled. Particularly just when there was a new twist that Henry’s secret was being revealed to Jo. Hopefully they will reconsider. b
I for one am very unhappy with ABC’s response to one of the best acted TV programs on television. Every time a program that has some history or good acting or a sense of dignity and integrity, it’s cancelled. Well, there’s nothing left on ABC to watch, so I’ll go back to the other stations and see what is there or use my amazon Prime or Netflicks or PBS to find something good to watch. Hate this cancellation.
I hope the numbskulls at ABC realize that they are are cancelling a well loved show. I hope Netflix picks it up!
I love this show. The acting is great. The story line was great. Do you have idiots that decide what shows to cancel? There is so much garbage on tv and you cancel a great show. Please reconsider.
I love the show, it has the best of everything; superb acting, great plots, drama, comedy, very entertaining. I hope the show is picked up by another network wherever Forever goes I will follow.
We Love You Ioan and the whole cast
Well, someone said it above…ABC is Disney…Its a fact, the spirit of Disney died, when Walt died… A fun, intellectual show and ABC cancels it…Yet, somehow…the REALITY SHOWS go on…WHO, with a brain in their head or any ounce of common sense, watches any of these reality shows…The answer…only brainless, air headed morons who think and BELIEVE its all real…WAKE UP…its scripted, fake BULL S___!
BRING BACK FOREVER!
this was an awesome show, I can’t believe it is being cancelled!
I love, love this show. Upset does not begin to describe how I feel about the cancellation of this awesome show!
I am from Aust. and I love Forever. I have been watching it online since it was advertised over here as I have been too impatient to wait for it. I agree that there are so many mind numbing, ridiculous shows with no value on tv in general not just that channel (just had a quick look at ABC, the bachelorette, are you kidding, I didn’t even bother with the bachelor, aust one or american one, yuck! So called reality shows don’t even reflect reality unless you live in air-head party town). Apart from having an interesting long story, episode… Read more »