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 am really angry and disappointed that Manhattan was canceled! It was one of the best historical fictional programs I have ever seen. So suspenseful you could cut it with a knife. Writing spectacular and same with acting. If it was so acritically acclaimed then the network wasn’t promoting it correctly. I hope it is picked up by another network or that WGN changes it’s mind.
They should have kept it going and did more to promote the series and when it was on.
They need to keep The Outsiders going love it
I don’t get the networks . People don’t watch T.V. the way they used to. They can’t measure the success of a show based on the archaic Nielson rating system. People watch the shows they like through many varied delivery systems, such as Amazon, Hulu, Netflix etc. Are the networks taking into account a shows audience in these venues? I don’t think they do. Manhattan is an excellent show and shouldn’t have gotten the axe so quickly. I just completed watching season two via Amazon Prime, it was terrific! I am very disappointed that it has been cancelled. I hope… Read more »
Joe is exactly right. We gave up cable about 5 years ago and haven’t missed it at all. We found Manhattan on Apple TV and really like the show. It is intelligent, well written, and thought provoking. Of course this wasn’t going to be another “Friends”. This show is for a niche market for the remaining thinking people on this planet who do not waste their viewing time on stupid reality shows. Oh, and BTW, we PAID for this show via Apple TV. Someone somewhere made money. When is the TV industry going to wake up and realize that the… Read more »
We have also given up on cable and Direct Tv we have Hulu and Netflix so much cheaper and still get to watch all our shows. So many people have done away with regular tv and they don’t take that into consideration.
We just finished season 2 via Amazon. (DirecTV doesn’t offer WGN in our area which that alone seems ridiculous). This was a GREAT series. It should have been shopped to another network and kept alive. My husband and I are so disappointed.
WGN is no longer a go to channel for my family and I. This was one of the most interesting shows in recent times but upon cancellation of the show, I will not be buying the dvd’s or following WGN any further. Very tired of networks pulling this garbage. BET would not cancel it if it were about blacks and the only thing I see WGN being useful for any longer is for sleeping since its sooooo boring without good shows.
Sorry WGN, you fucked this one up! Lost a family of viewers forever now.
I am soooooo tired of getting into quality shows that are cancelled after 1 or 2 seasons.
Bad enough you pull the Cubs games from national broadcasts but now you pull the only decent original show you had??!! I am done with your pathetic network!!
This was a great series. Too bad it was cancelled. How about it, Netflix? Want to continue the show and add to your quality original programming lineup?
I would join Netflix if it were picked up by them…
This is terribly disappointing. The beauty of Manhattan is that it’s a complex show filled with adult characters and real drama. I truly hope someone picks this up. It if not…it was a good two years.
The problem with the show is that with season 1 they reached an agreement with Hulu to air it. People on Hulu loved the show. But then they thought they had a hit on their hands and cut Hulu out of the loop, losing a massive audience. Once it left Hulu, tons of people stopped watching (mainly because they don’t get WGN).
I’m so disappointed the show was cancelled. It was so nice to have a change from all of the reality TV and actually have a bit of history on. I really wish we could see the way the characters all “Ended”. I don’t see closure in last season, I want more!
I thought the show was so great, I would read it in a book in order to follow the characters and the story….but, I would MUCH PREFER the drama! I was born 9 months after my father returned from WWII. MIssouri Girl
So irritated that the show is not coming back. With all the reality TV and crap that is on TV like the Kardashian’s it was refreshing to be able to sit and watch and intelligent show about history. Shame on you WGN for not wanting quality TV on your station. I certainly hope Netflix or Hulu picks up the series and there isn’t any slack from WGN to let it go.
Please some channel pick this show up. As a nuclear tech I enjoyed this intellligent show.