(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?
I am so disappointed to hear the show has been cancelled! It was a fascinating journey into the civil war era, with authentic detail and great acting. What a shame to cancel such a high quality product, won’t you reconsider?
No reason to turn to PBS if there’s no Mercy Street.
Myself as well a large contingent of my history group buffs have been waiting a year for the return of Mercy St. It is hard for me to understand how a decision to cancel said program was made. I have never in my 78 yeas written of my feelings toward any show but MS is an exception. I found it fascinating, informative and the acting was outstanding. Please reconsider and I feel you and sponsors will not be sorry for it’s return…..
This is the 3rd pubs cancellation I’ve had to endure in three years. I’m so disappointed I want to throw something…maybe my Downton Abbey blu rays. It’s disgusting that a show as informing as Mercy Street is relegated to insignificance in this low way…shame on the public (for not supporting it) and SHAME ON PBS!
What a disappointment to learn that there will not be a season three. I was just checking to see when the premier of season 3 would air. We’ve been waiting all year for it’s return. PBS has a great flair for period dramas, and Mercy Street was no exception. I can only hope PBS can live up to the standards of Downtown Abby and Mercy Street, and come up with another great Sunday night program.
Please! Season 2 left me hanging. What happened to Mary and Doc Foster?
We finally got a chance to watch all 12 episodes of Mercy Street. We found it to be beautifully portrayed and executed. Of course the Civil War didn’t go on forever, but Season Two leaves us dangling. It’s a pity that such a rich historical drama so eloquently well-acted with compelling characters is being cut by PBS.
I’m so disappointed that the series was cancelled. Superior storyline for that historical era. I hope the decision is reversed.
I have loved the character development, historical/period representations, in-depth story lines, rich visuals and phenomenal acting of this show. I am very sad to hear that Mercy Street is over… it was a powerful and impactful series.
I was so looking forward to season 3. Mercy Street was one of the best series on PBS.
I am so disappointed. It was so much more relevant than Downtown Abbey.
I’m very disappointed. I enjoyed all aspects of the show, especially the medical dimension.
This just upset me. I’ve been waiting for season 3 to come back on. Why do they always cancel the good ones?
We loved this show and watched it faithfully. With so much trashy TV. this was a show that actually taught you something. Is money the real reason for its cancellation? Seems if PBS wanted it to continue, they could have sought more donors who wanted to keep it on the air.
I had been patiently waiting for season 3 to begin. I had no idea the show was cancelled. This was a wonderful show. I am very disappointed that it will no longer be aired.