Rachel Brosnahan As Abby Isaacs In Season Two, Episode Two: Fatherland (via WGN America)
Although creator Sam Shaw already had a third season planned, WGN America cancelled the Manhattan TV series, after its second season. Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, back in November, Shaw said he crafted season two of Manhattan, with an eye toward some resolution, in case of cancellation.
Upon cancelling the historical drama which starred John Benjamin Hickey and Olivia Williams, WGN America President Matt Cherniss issued a statement citing the usual culprit — low ratings. Still feeling the sting of the end of the critically-acclaimed Manhattan, Cherniss has now offered more insight into the decision he tried to avoid.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Cherniss said he did everything he could to give Manhattan some momentum in the ratings and build up an audience. Among the steps he took were moving the show to the fall, when more viewers are watching, and moving it from Sunday nights to a less competitive spot. He even tweaked the ad campaign. In the end, it just was not enough.
“As we got to mid-season of season two, reality for me had started to set in that it was going to be very difficult to bring the show back for a third season,” Cherniss says, acknowledging at that point it simply didn’t “make economic sense” to move forward. He knows it would be easy to chalk up the paltry turnout to the stresses of “peak TV,” but he has watched as WGN’s other originals delivered considerably more viewers: Witch drama Salem drew 770,000 viewers in its second season, while new entry Outsiders shattered network records with 3.9 million watching its Jan. 26 premiere. […]
“When you’re starting a network and building a brand, you’re looking for reasons to pick up a show, not the opposite,” he adds. “But at some point, you have to see some momentum.”
Were you a fan of the Manhattan TV show? Do you think WGN America was right to cancel it after season two, or should it have been renewed for a third season? Do you feel like you got some closure in Manhattan‘s second season i.e. series finale? Sound off, in the comments.
I have been waiting all Summer for the show to return. Had no idea it was cancelled. Excellent show. Shortsighted decision to cancel. Query: did they ever use the bomb?
the Manhattan Project was pretty accurate. Being a child of Parents and Grandparent working at the Hanford Project for the Manhattan Project while producing the nuclear bombs on Nagasaki and Hirosima in 1945 – while they took TV liberties on some of it, Of course. It was really a good show and we had been waiting for Season 3.
Fabulous historical drama – a shame it has not been continued. I am glued to the screen on Netflix!
Wonderful television. How can we get a series three. Netflix pickup? Such a shame that quality programming gets ditched and the garbage television we are subjected to just keeps on churning out.
TOO BAD FOR A GREAT PIECE OF HISTORY THAT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN………
I have waiting for this show to come back now i see its canceled man that blows
Amazing that quality shows get canceled just to appeal to the tastes of mass media idiots. Guess we need another reality TV series.
This show was awesome. It portrayed history -the good and the bad of the people involved in a classy, riveting, interestingly dramatic, and captivating way. My husband and I looked forward to watching season 3. Cancelling this show was a big mistake. It’s easily observable that the youth of our country need to understand and to value American history. This show was absolutely a great vehicle to achieve this. I’m very disappointed because cancelling this type of historical drama leaves a gap in quality television being filled with nothing more than bad fodder that is fuel for negativity and social… Read more »
It is quite unfortunate how viewership volume can lead to the death of excellent TV shows. Would be great if Netflix picks it up.
Come on I’ve been waiting to see some commercials for a series premier or something now it’s cancelled wtf. I loved this show, right up my ally. Now hearing this is bringing up memories of the finder that was canceled after season one
Well after a bad year and a half in my own life I was finally able to catch up on season two of Manhattan .just finished last show, hit the internet for possible spoilers for season three and… ,now it’s over .It’s hard for some people to always tune in to watch each week with work schedule and family lives. I loved this show, Great entertainment WGN but we want more from Manhattan.
What can I say? We loved the show. Please bring it back.
I’m late to this show. But it was so good. Better than Mad Men. No fantasies about how good America is. Probably why it can’t go on. If only they had not said we have to be monsters and wipe out a city. The world has to see what we are capable of. It reminded me of the Godfather and the Sopranos. Too bad, but we have two seasons…. This is the way for a network to build a reputation.
Conspiracy theory; Am I crazy to think CIA pressured them not to educate American people about nuke?
Yes. Wiki will Tell You all.
I never saw any commercials or other promotions for it unless I was already watching WGN
One of my very favorite shows