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 really sorry that this show was cancelled. I really loved it. Great acting, great chemistry, …. just great.
I am HEARTBROKEN! Completely devastated, I am at a loss to find anything even close to a proper way to convey my shock and dismay. I honestly feel violated, ABC continues their extremely poor decision making all the while looking around in befuddled confusion as they attempt to ascertain why their rollercoaster is crashing toward the ground. It is as if they feel any sort of sophistication, class, demeanor of elegance or the feel of Americana is not welcomed whatsoever within their broadcast programming. I simply cannot articulate my disgust at their disdain for the “common person!” This opinion is… Read more »
Ioan Gruffudd I am so sorry for the cancellation of the show, I love the premise and you made the show, don’t let it hurt your feelings networks don’t have clue what people watch. You made the show be proud and I am grateful that you entertain me and look forward to your next project..sincerely
Vince Fernandez
Excellent post Jeff…let’s see if we can get it up and on another station….
The only other show I watch on ABC is “Castle.” That should give you some idea.
Boycott ABC and their shows until they bring Forever back!
Here is another petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/638/400/740/bring-back-forever/#sign
i absolutely loved this show and cannot believe the numbers weren’t good. For me this was appointment TV, and I was a faithful, regular viewer. This show caught my imagination from the very start; and I looked forward to seeing it every week.
I hope another network will see the value in this show and pick it up!! We want to know what happens to Henry and Abe and Jo!!!
Totally disappointed and I agree that the person making the decision should be fired.
I think Ioan Gruffund is the greatest. I just hope there is a chance that this show could be saved. I just don’t understand why such a good show should be cancelled considering the fan base. I am pissed.
I am so sad that Forever is cancelled. This show still has many things to be resolved and more story lines to be told. Some network needs to pick this up, I love Henry’s character too!
Please bring it back, their hasn’t been very many good shows on tv this past year, but this was something different with Henry being immortal. I was a Highlander fan if anyone remembers that series, these are the kind of shows I like too see!!
What a disappointment. Forever was such a well done show. Too bad the ratings did it in. Would be nice if another network picked it up.
Sign the petition
https://www.change.org/p/warner-brothers-warner-brothers-fans-love-the-tv-show-forever?recruiter=3045898&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg
One of the few shows that doesn’t insult your intelligence gets canceled. That makes sense in some bizarro universe but not this one. I don’t know anyone who saw the show who didn’t love it.
Sorry to see show go. I loved the show and it needs a ending.
Ioan Gruffudd is an absolute gentleman and reading his statement supports this fact. Forever was so suited to his personal style and I loved the series. (I watch anything he is in because he is such a quality actor – I know it will be good)
I totally agree Kerrie, I am about to start watching other stuff he is in (I’ve watched most of his movies)!
I love him in Hornblower and I will respect him forever! because of Amazing Grace!
I am saddened to hear my favorite show “Forever” was cancelled. The person who made this idiotic decision should be fired. It was one of only a few shows worth watching among the countless mind numbing reality shows currently on TV. PLEASE bring this show back for at least another season to allow the writers to bring the story line to some type of conclusion for us loyal fans. The actors are top notch and the story always entertaining. As far as the response of the main star, Ioan Gruffudd goes, all I can say is what a class act!… Read more »
Here, here!! Spent so much time on this rainy Mother’s Day in Michigan reading off and on about the sad situation of this great show …. So glad and not surprised by the worldwide appeal it has. FOREVER needs to live on more than within our hearts. It deserves to air, and we know numbers and ratings are not accurate assessments of the whole picture. This mistake needs to be revisited and amended! Excellent shows like these are few and far between. Today’s choices are junk. FOREVER was a work of quality, substance, and flair. It must be picked up… Read more »
I am saddened by the decision not to renew this incredible show. Forever is an incredible show with quality actors & a dynamic story… As a family we have looked forward to each episode. I want to thank everyone from the producers to the actors for giving us such quality.
sincerely,
The Barajas Family.
I don’t know where they get their “ratings” from but this is an amazing show with a great story line, gifted writing and fantastic acting. Whoever made the decision to cancel the show has robbed us all of one of the best shows ever produced. Much like when they cancelled “Firefly” and “Arrested Development”. It’s as though there is a conspiracy to ruin good television.