(Photos courtesy of PBS / Erik Heinila)
While the quality of mercy is not strained, television productions (and their budgets) often are. We are sad to report the Mercy Street TV show on PBS has been cancelled. There will be no season three on PBS. Ridley Scott, David Zucker, and David Zabel, executive produced the series.
A Civil War-era medical drama, Mercy Street follows the doctors, nurses, contraband laborers, and Confederate loyalists at the Mansion House Hospital in Union-occupied Alexandria, Virginia. It is set prior to the Emancipation Proclamation. The PBS TV series stars: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Josh Radnor, Gary Cole, Peter Gerety, Donna Murphy, Norbert Leo Butz, McKinley Belcher III, Shalita Grant, L. Scott Caldwell, Hannah James, Wade Williams, AnnaSophia Robb, Tara Summers, Brad Koed, Luke Macfarlane, Cameron Monaghan, Suzanne Bertish, and Cherry Jones.
Mercy Street Cancelled After Two Seasons on PBS
According to Deadline, PBS and producers cited funding, as well as, “the complicated nature of aligning production timelines.” Here’s more:
The first season reached 14 million viewers over six episodes (Live + 7), making it the second-highest-rated drama for the 2015-16 TV season on PBS, behind jet-fueled lead-in, Downton Abbey. Season 2, which premiered on January 22 and ended on March 5, has attracted 6.5 million L+7 viewers for the first three episodes.
“We sought to bring a time and place to life that is so important to understanding American history, and in a way that was meaningful, authentic and entertaining, EP David Zucker said of the series.
“Together, we delivered twelve hours of compelling and worthwhile storytelling which we all take pride in,” added EP David Zabel. “It was five years in the making and we are grateful to PBS for its loyal support.”
What do you think? Did you watch the Mercy Street TV series on PBS? Did you expect it to be cancelled or renewed for season three?
So sad to see this go. Great show, great actors and scenery.
So looked forward to this show every Sunday. Really loved it! I will miss it. Wish they would at least have a two hour finale so we could wrap it up nicely.
So sad a good tv show was cancelled while so many bad ones remain on air.
I can’t believe it. I loved this show.
I love the British shows on PBS, but finally a really good American production. I can’t believe there will not be a season 3 of this well done show.
I am so disappointed that this American drama will not return to PBS.
Is there a book written about mercy street?
Nooo!! I’ve been waiting for this to come back for season 3. Love the civil war era–there’s so little shows covering this era and it’s cancelled……??. I’m so mad! I’ve told everyone about this show bc it’s such great history and acting and story line. So disappointed.
Oh! What a disappointment to learn that Mercy Street was not going to be continued, due to funding for PBS (I guess in part). Mercy Street showed a slice of American life that is rarely told and contributed to an important body of knowledge that our nation is still grappling with. The acting was superb; I hope to see more of the actors in the coming years. Is there anything the viewing public can do to get season 3 aired?
I am really getting tired of every single show that I like a lot being cancelled after 2 good seasons or 3 when they have great ratings. We a re told that ratings mean a lot but they apparently don’t. Or is it only the 18-49 demographic that matters?
We are living in an exciting time of accurate and detailed history. What is unfair is that there are so few of us that appreciate it. Mercy Street put us in a place where we could view all of the thought processes of both sides of the war and watch the advancement of medical technology through a very primitive time. I guess our only savior is going to be Ken Burns. He seems to be the only one that can find consistent funding and volunteer narrators to put out quality projects. The only problem is I think he averages a… Read more »
This is such a good show. Please reconsider.
WHY is it all the good quality shows aren’t staying!!! People with any kind of mind or thought processing are sick & tired of the no-script, low-budget, insulting to anyone who’s intelligent, reality or competition (Not talent) show excuses for entertainment!! Alas, another sad example of the dumbing down of America and/or pandering to the lowest IQ/thinking people. This is a historical fact-based drama with superior acting, incredibly accurate costumes & sets, historically appropriate plot & sub-plots and excellent script writing that deserves to continue. Come on people! Can another channel with more integrity for quality tv and who doesn’t… Read more »
Well, I was sure HOPING there’d be a season 3. Quality American television (for once) and it gets cancelled? I truly don’t understand.
I was expecting a season 3. Very disappointed. It makes you unwilling to commit to a show since at any moment the rug can be pulled out from under you. People need to have a feeling of completeness, a beginning , a middle and an end. If the network cannot guarantee an end then they shouldn’t begin. I’ve been enjoying Home Fires and I hope that is not canceled.