One of the most upsetting cancellations of the 2008 -2009 season was ABC’s October Road. Faithful viewers were truly tied into the characters’ struggles and emotional journeys. When the show ended, there were many unresolved questions. Now, thanks to the creators and cast, it looks like we’re going to get some closure.
October Road was moderately successful in the ratings in its first season and earned a renewal based on ABC’s belief that the audience would grow. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and viewership only dropped in season two. There were some discussions about moving the series to another channel but there weren’t any takers. As a result, the series finale aired on March 10th.
Thankfully for the fans, the creators of October Road are just as invested in the show as the viewers. Though Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg had already committed to running ABC’s new Life on Mars series, they wanted to finish the Knights Ridge saga properly. Appelbaum told Zap2It, “We got the call that the show was cancelled on Tuesday at 9:45 in the morning and by 10 o’clock at night, [we] were writing the finale. It’s sort of like therapy for us, but the most important thing is that it means closure for the fans.” Soonafter, the team called each of the castmembers about being involved and they all signed on without question.
Rosenberg told TV Guide that he and the show’s writers felt they had a commitment to wrap up the show. “We had a small audience, but they genuinely fell in love with these characters, and I feel we owe it not only to them, but also to the cast.” They came up with a 15-minute episode called, appropriately enough, “Don’t Look Back: An Epilogue for an Epic Love.”
The mini-episode will pick up where the series left off, starting with the wedding of Ray “Big Cat” Cataldo (Warren Christie) and Hannah Daniels (Laura Prepon). It will then skip ahead seven years and viewers will be given answers to most of the series’ outstanding questions — including the identity of Sam’s papa, the Commander’s health, and the fate of each of the relationships.
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Applebaum says that the team has always known how they would end the series. He tells Zap2It, “Whether the show went two years or seven years, there’s always been a particular moment and piece of closure that we wanted and we’re going to be able to get to that intended end.” Series star Bryan Greenberg says that he’s in the same boat as the show’s loyal viewers — he’s got a lot of questions and can’t wait to have them answered.
The actual shooting schedule hasn’t been firmed up as yet but that shouldn’t concern fans. Lindy Booth (Pizza Girl) notes, “We all love the show, so we’ll all be there.” Applebaum echoes that sentiment by saying, “The nice thing about this whole experience is that this show about friendship has created an environment of friendship and community among the cast. And when we look at the message boards, we feel like that’s sort of extended to our viewership too. We’re happy to do this for them.”
The October Road creators won’t have to look far for one of the castmembers. Jonathan “Ronnie Garrett” Murphy has just signed on as a regular on Life on Mars.
It’s expected that the short-but-sweet October Road series finale will be included on the season two DVD set and may be made available online as well. Stay tuned! 
ABC is making a huge mistake by cancelling this show. It is a great show, it just didn’t get the promotion of GREY or DESP.HOUWIVES. I like it way better than any other show on television and I think it sucks that ABC takes away the good stuff and leaves the stupid BACHELOR crap.
15 minutes? I’m glad to be able to get closure, but couldn’t they have given us more than 15 minutes? So disappointing. It’s such a shame they had to cancel such a good show.
How is it that shows like October Road can’t find enough viewers to keep it on, yet Desperate Housewives can? Maybe they should’ve spent a little more time and money promoting it. October Road is one of the great ones. They should have found it a home, and it should’ve been easy to.
I loved October Road! It was a nice break from Reality TV. It was a wholesome show to watch. I grew up in a small town and still live in it so I really loved the characters and Knights Ridge. I also loved the music! I am soooo Sad! It didn’t help the shows ratings due to the Writers Strike and time slot changes. If you didn’t have a DVR to tape new episodes you would never know when to watch it since it wasn’t on consistently. The same thing happened with the show Vanished. I ended up having to… Read more »
I think it is awful that october road had to be cancelled however, we all need some closure. Who is the father to Sam? Eddie or is it Nik? I mean come on, it has to have some closure…
I love and so appreciate all that the guys are doing for us fans. You writers and cast members will never know how much you have touched my heart. Thank you
I am truly dissapointed that ABC has not renewed this show. I rarely watch TV but this is one show I never missed. The writing, and the characters were soooo good. All of them are people I would love to know. Surely some other cable network will see the value of this show and pick it up. This news truly makes me sad.
I love the guys for this, they are truly amazing to do this for the fans. That being said, I will not give up on a network as long as the wrap-up has yet to be filmed and the message boards are still up at abc.com (which I see as a positive since MIT boards were taken away a few weeks ago!). Keep going strong Roadies! Fight for October Road!
I grew up in a small town in Snohomish, Washington (well, it’s no longer a “small town”) and I now live on the East Coast in another small town. There is a part of me in this series and in Nick Garrett.
ABC continues to underestimate this resourceful and ever-growing “small audience.” Please bring this personal favorite back for another season. The 15 minute epilogue will be a welcome addition, but there is an audience out there (now) for Season 3.
First, let me say that I purchased the first season on DVD and all of the second season on iTunes. And I’m still willing to purchase this epilogue if only on the 2nd season DVD. I’ll take it any way they give it to us. I did fall in love with this show and the characters, and while I’d love for it to continue, I’m glad the writers/actors are considerate enough to wrap up the storylines for us. (And hint hint please–that means I’d love to see JEDDIE back together again!) Just please make this a reality and film it… Read more »
It’s a sad day when they take such a well written show off without even a proper send off. The characters were believable, lovable and people were invested in them. They, at the very least deserve an hour, if not two, to be sent off properly. I can’t believe this show was cancelled. It was one of my favorites. October Road had me watching network TV show and being truly vested in it for the first time in years other than ER, which I have watched for all 13 seasons. I hope the powers that be realize what a talent… Read more »
Only 15 f!@#ing minutes? I am really getting tired of all my favorite shows being cancelled. My husband and I loved both Men in Trees and October Road and simply can’t believe it. Come on… these shows both had great storylines that we looked forward to, even though you had to wait forever in between. It’s my opinion that neither of these shows had a fair shake of sticking around. Let’s just hope they weren’t let go for some more reality shows. There are far too many of those out there and just don’t think they are worth all the… Read more »
I love the writers for doing this for the fans, but it is still so depressing to think of tv this season with no October Road. I am not ready to give up yet, keep it going Roadies!
This is crap. I can’t believe this show has been cancelled. Me and my husband have been waiting for the new season to start. What’s next cancelling Grey’s Anatomy?
There are few prime channel shows on any more that are even worthy of my time, in my opinion, you had it going on on every level, sexual tension, quirkiness, good story lines, moral inspirations, beautiful story lines, and the characters were each and of them selves so valuable to the entire project. I am a 57 year old mother of three daughters and I have 6 chrandchildren. Even I thought it was fantastic ans well written! PLEASE KEEP ON WRITING AND BRING BACK OUR BELOVED OCTOBER ROAD. kRIS wEIDENFELLER