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 bitterly disappointed. I was looking forward to another season!
I was looking forward to another season this fall and just learned that the show has been cancelled which was very sad news. I could see Manhattan going longer with more and more unfolding of the story of our scientists and their work during WWII, then on into America’s space program. It could include the involvement of scientists that were in Germany, but eventually moved to the US or Russia. The history of these events were significant to our world then and even today. I’m sorry to see the show no longer being produced.
This was a very stupid decision That’s what’s wrong with our nation today No history being taught anymore My children 28, 24, 16 did not know that it was called The Manhattan Project, what cities that the atomic bomb was dropped on what the name of the ship or planes the bombs were carried on. All tv and Hollywood wants to make is sex violence homosexuality and other crap
This is utter ********. I never thought they would drop such a good series. The suspense, thrill, acting, production… Everything was good. Disappointed. Hope Netflix would pick this up.
Madness to drop such good TV; well scripted, directed and acted, excellent production elements -sometimes you have to punt that the gold will shine through all the dross even if it takes some time to do so.
It’s a shame. I loved this show. Yes the “Outsiders” had record breaking viewers. You advertised the crap out of it. The advertising for Manhattan was word of mouth, I guess I didn’t get enough people on board. Can we move it to HULU or NETFLIX? WGN sucks. I cannot watch anything on this channel after such a stupid decision.
I can’t understand why they would worry so much about ratings on a show that we all had trouble finding on TV. For once I would love to hear that a good show with a good cast, would not be all about ratings and money !! It’s a shame
We watched the show & loved it. One of the best acted & most compelling dramas on TV.
Maybe this show did not have a larger following because it was nearly impossible for us in the east coast of the U.S. to access. I loved the first season, aired on Hulu, and I know several others who awaited the second season, only to be stonewalled and frustrated but our inability to access the show.
Awww shoot! I just found out it was cancelled. The show was great, and I thought it was getting more interesting as it went. I’m very disappointed there won’t be a season 3. Boo! These networks sell us on a show and then let us down when a show isn’t allowed to complete the storyline.
Big fan of Manhattan Project tv series and very sorry the 3rd season was cancelled. Maybe another network or cable channel will pick up one day. It was not a reality show nor a vampire type story that seems to be popular with younger viewers, under 30 yrs of age. If you are over 50 your choices are getting fewer and fewer.
Since the only show I watched on WGN was Manhattan and now WGN has blocked access to Dish customers,and dropped Manhattan from its lineup, I say good riddance to WGN. This is not the first time a good program has been canceled before its time because of low ratings. But it will be my last time to try on WGN!!!!
I thought it was amazing, and the production designer deserved an Emmy for period authenticity. I grew up in the 1950s, was a nerd kid, and eventually learned a lot about the project and had a loose connection NBC warfare as it was called then, and having nothing to do with TV networks. But try as I might, I did not spot many anachronisms. And of course it was a brilliant series.The major characters were all pitch-perfect but so were the minor ones, which makes the whole thing stick together. I only found out about the cancellation now– I was… Read more »
If you are interested in other fiction on this topic please check out Stallion Gate by Martin Cruz Smith and Los Alamos by Joseph Kanon. Both have done their homework!
I have been enthralled by this brilliant drama and am desolated to hear that it won’t return to our screens . It is not often in today’s television world that historical drama gives reality tv a run for its’ money – mores the pity . Gratitude from Australia for a wonderful show – reinforce ces the case to be wary of the “good guys ” who overstep their mark and believing that governments will always act in your best interests .
More “Manhattan”, PLEASE!