The bomb’s finally dropped. According to Variety, WGN America has cancelled their period drama Manhattan after two seasons.
Earlier, we reported that series creator Sam Shaw had planned a third season for the historical show.
The series dramatized the Manhattan Project’s development of nuclear weapons in 1940s New Mexico. The series starred John Benjamin Hickley, Olivia Williams, William Petersen, and Daniel Stern.
In a press statement, WGN America president Matt Cherniss cited low ratings as one of the reasons for cancellation:
After careful consideration, we have reached the very difficult decision not to move forward with a third season of ‘Manhattan.’ We are proud of this critically acclaimed series, an extraordinary original drama, and are deeply disappointed that such a wonderful show could not find a larger audience. We thank the immensely talented Sam Shaw and Thomas Schlamme, along with the exceptional cast and crew and our great partners at Lionsgate and Skydance, for crafting a masterful series. We are equally grateful to the dedicated fans for their support over the last two seasons.”
Season one of the series received low ratings, with an average viewership of only 420,000. Ratings for season two decreased even further, with an estimated average of 240,000 viewers. Season two ended on December 15th.
What do you think? Did you watch Manhattan? Do you think it should continue elsewhere?
Really enjoyed this series. Characters seemed real. Plot was gripping. Storyline believable. Some network needs to bring this one bac.
have been out of the loop I guess……Manhattan was the best…..what is wrong about learning something about our history. we loved this show…put it back on please…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Again, a profound disappointment. Another cancelled, INTELLIGENT series. We’re supposed to survive on a steady diet of reality t.v. shows? Give back the Manhattan Project
I was hooked. Thank you, again, in all your television wisdom, for cancelling another intelligent series
Maybe CW or SciFi Channel or even History Channel could continue the show
Will miss Manhattan, thought it was the best show on tv.
I’m greatly dismayed to learn that the series Manhattan will not reach the end of the real Manhattan Project. This was a historically significant show and was well handled by its producers but I often wondered why WGN took on.the responsibility of airing it to their audience who are dedicated to major network marathon reruns. This program might.have flourished on an appropriate network with a larger viewer base such as History, Discovery or a major broadcast network.
It’s one of my favorite shows. Hope it gets picked up by Netflix.
best of the serious historical shows on tv – one more season would have brought it to completion. Its soooo frustrating to get a drama that deals with world affairs in an intelligent and well-written way. Fine cast too. Damn it all to hell….
Yes series three please! Excellent series & cast!
I have watched a lot of TV in my 77 years. Season 2 of Manhattan just ended on TV (Sky) here in Italy this week and I immediately tried to find out when Series 3 would begin, only to discover the disastrous news of the shows cancellation. I have always been saddened when a favourite series comes to an end (and there haven’t been that many favourites I might add), but never have I been as sad, disappointed, angry even as I feel about the cancellation of Manhattan. This show is so enormously relevant today, so brilliantly and intelligently written,… Read more »
Brilliant comment, and one with which I heartily agree! Excellence in acting, location, and historical truth made this show one of a kind. I will truly miss it,and am angry that it will not continue.Why do such great shows get canceled with a whisper, instead of going out with a bang? That is not an A-bomb joke, by the way! Some other channel would be most wise to pick it up!
Manhattan needs to be picked up by Amazon, Netflix, Hulu – the story is too important and too powerful to just discard. Let a platform with resources take it over. It easily stands with the absolute best shows of “Golden Age TV” and it’s also a lot smarter.