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.
wish theyd just get rid of that friggin nielsen rating system for something that isnt outdated and more acurate
Just learned that WGN cancelled Manhattan (without concluding it). Obviously you can’t deliver so this will be the last time I invest time in WGN Original Series.
#FAIL
So sad to have just found out that there will be no more Manhattan! OMG!! This is one of the best shows on tv and it’s extremely well-written. I hope another network picks it up. There’s so much more that could be explored in future episodes.
Sad to say, once again, an intelligent, well thought out series based on reality is dismissed because the ratings God’s say kill.
Perhaps WGN should be concerned about building some quality creds as they try to build a network, rather than peddle more crap and pablum for the childish and dim-witted.
That crap seems to draw viewers.
More Real Housewives of Anywhere, anyone?
Great show! Bring it back. We are sick of stupid ,idiot tv. We need more historic and thought provoking to watch.
I absolutely loved the show I’ve been waiting for it to come back n just found out it was canceled. It was extremely interesting and historical. I’m very disappointed with WGN American for not renewing it. I only have Hulu to watch and so does alot of people did the station take that into consideration for viewers.
Great show Sam Shaw so sorry WGN didn’t see your vision for the show.
Just binge-watched season one and am quite disappointed with the decision to not move this series forward. Someone commented that using the archaic Nielsen rating is insufficient to make these decisions and couldn’t agree more. It is more than a simple $ decision, building a loyal fan-base for your network is key. I can certainly say I won’t be watching WGN for anything else but it was fun… Let’s go NETFLIX! MANHATTAN!!!
I watched it on hulu. I loved the show and I won’t be watching WGN for any thing else either.
I would have liked a third season.
What terrible news! I hope Netflix picks it up–this is a superb show. WGN, I am done with you, but not before I add you to the list of networks that made stupid decisions: 1) KCET when it cancelled Masterpiece Theater (remember Downton Abbey)? 2) A&E when it cancelled Longmire, 3) WGN, for cancelling Manhattan.
I’m very sorry to hear that Manhattan has cancelled. This was one of the finest period shows ever produced. I lost the hard drive that carried all of my Manhattan episodes stored thru Dish Network, so I hope it will be released on DVD or BD. Thank you for your work on this project from my Fathers era. My Dad was at the Bikini Test in 1947 and I’m sure that could have made a great episode. DL
So sick that another show with substance has been canceled while the lowbrow silly shows are renewed year after year. Yes you could have promoted it more…had to search to find it season one then season 2 was asked to pay for streamlining when I missed it on cable. Glad to read the comments to realize I wasn’t alone in feeling so sad about Manhattan’s cancelation
No, that’s not fair. I loved the series
Shame, I looked forward to watching it each week.
Manhattan was an amazing 2 season drama. I truly looked forward to watching it weekly and got sucked into each character and how each of them played a roll in the success of this drama. I love atomic energy and the story behind the engineering and building of this “gadget”. This series was very well acted and portrayed the harsh realities of secrecy behind our race to develop this weapon. I’m very disappointed that this specific show will not make it to a third season. I truly hope another network takes a chance on what would most likely be a… Read more »
It was a very interesting show in so many ways, very well acted,its a shame,.Maybe it will be a netflix miracle