(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?
This series was so wonderful, and much more meaningful than Downton Abbey. I’m surprised and disappointed it was cancelled.
I really enjoyed the first two seasons and can’t believe that PBS cancelled this wonderful show! It was like we got a glimpse into part of our country’s history every week. The story line and actors were superb! So disappointed; please consider bringing this show back!
I can’t believe this was cancelled!!!! One of the best on PBS and I am extremely disappointed there will be no more. With so much crap on television it was refreshing to find this great show on PBS.
I cannot believe Mercy Street was cancelled. I loved each and every episode. Too bad.
I loved this show also, and am sick that it’s been cancelled. I’m a non-TV person in general, but I have a thing for Civil War history and definitely loved turning into the show. It was the only must see each week. Very, very sad it will not be returning. There were so many exciting story lines to be resolved which never were.
I absolutely loved this series! I hate they cancelled it. Was so looking forward to many more episodes. I hate to hear this.
Why do they keep taking off the best series? Mercy Street was one show that we looked forward to. I don’t understand how a series like this can not be renewed. How are these decisions made? It was engaging and informative and also gave insight into that time period.
I LOVED MERCY STREET, COULDN’T WAIT FOR IT TO COME ON! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU FOLKS?
I really enjoyed the story and am very disappointed the show has been cancelled.
One of the few shows I watched on a regular basis.
I loved Mercy Street, at least have an ending for the viewers! Great characters, great show! Especially with the current controversy over north and south history and culture! Great place to shed light on the struggles.
My husband and I loved Mercy Street! That fact that it was based on our country’s history was exciting. Can’t believe they canceled this series, so disappointing! Their are many other shows that we feel could have been canceled instead.
I loved Mercy Street! I was waiting for !season 3, why is it that all the good shows get cancelled! You get all into the characters and now nothing.
This was an incredible program! Say it ain’t so! At a time, now more than ever, when we need to understand who we were, and imagining who we could be, a program, Mercy Street came along to enlighten and expand our minds and hearts. So much artistry! I earnestly hope that if PBS won’t reconsider, that another network will continue. I can only see a growth in interest. AMC? Netflix? History Channel? Someone, please hear our pleas!
So sorry to hear season 3 was cancelled,thought it was very well acted and produced. Shameful that such a good series was cancelled. PBS has many great shows and was particularly fond of this one. If at all possible, please get it back, and reconsider your decision PBS, you have quality programming, and this show attracted many viewers, love history, civil war, and am a nurse, so love anything medical.