Though it was looking like the underperforming CW series had a chance at survival, the network has decided to pull the plug on Privileged.
Privileged follows the story of Megan Smith (Joanna Garcia), a perky young journalist who becomes a live-in tutor for two wealthy teenage girls (Lucy Hale and Ashley Newbrough). Others in the cast include Michael Cassidy, Allan Louis, Brian Hallisay, Kristina Apgar, and Anne Archer.
Despite positive reviews and buzz, Privileged debuted on September 9, 2008 to just 2.64 million viewers and a 1.2/3 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. Those numbers weren’t great for the junior network and ratings for subsequent episodes fell significantly over the rest of the season.
The network made multiple attempts to boost the show’s audience — giving it more exposure by rerunning episodes in various timeslot — but most viewers just didn’t seem to be particularly interested.
Though the ratings certainly hadn’t mandated it, the network had been considering bringing Privileged back for another season. A few weeks ago, it was announced that the CW would rerun the series during the summer months, an indication that the series still potentially had a future.
But, though Privileged matches the CW’s target demographic, the network has ultimately decided to cancel it. The CW has several potentially strong new series in the hopper and would rather take a chance on them.
Following the cancellation news, series creator Rina Mimoun wrote to Michael Ausiello, “It’s truly heartbreaking. I’m so grateful to everyone out there who supported our little show and fell in love with Megan Smith. She was the most delightful character I’ve ever had the pleasure to write and watching JoAnna Garcia bring her to life every day was a gift I will never forget.”
She concluded, “I’m incredibly proud of the work we did and forever indebted to all the fans, critics and to Warner Bros. for being so wonderful and supportive. I will miss this more than you know.”
How would Megan’s story have ended? We may likely never find out.
Image courtesy CW.
i NEED to know what happens … i loved this show 🙁
Why………………………………… 🙁 🙁 🙁
Bring it back…. I want to know how it ends!!!!! U guys are cruel!!!!
🙁 it was really one of the best shows! cant believe they cancelled it !!
Are u goddamn serious, we finally get a new series thats funny cute & quirky & u cancel it. So sick of this crap happening, u get hooked on a show & then bang its gone. Not IMPRESSED at all.
CW suck its always something
are you guys kidding? this is the second series i enjoyed that’s been cancelled. please stop doing this. PLLLLEEEAAASSSEEE BRING SEASON 2 NOW!!!
Comeon! This was one of my fav shows! canceled? aww man, bring it back please.
Can not believe they canceled it!! I loved that show!!
I LOVED PRIVILIGED!!! I WAS DYING TO SEE WHAT HAPPEN WITH WILL. PLEASE BRING IT BACK….
I LOVED PRIVILIGED! I’m so upset! Bring it back please! There are fans out there that you don’t even know about!
Bummer dude. Definitely wanted to see what happened with the Megan, her best friend-who’s-really-in-love-with-her, and Will triangle.
Please please have Season 2. Would love to see how Megan’s life would go…. She’s such a pleasant and lovely character to watch….
🙁 I’m so dissapointed. This show is so great, they just needed to broadcast it at a better time and on a better channel. In the UK it was on a 7pm on a Sunday on E4 (digital channel only). If people could see how great it is they really would watch it. I hate it when shows get cancelled, and always with so many cliffhangers 🙁
Disappointed! I love Megan Smith and want to know the end of her story! With all the war on tv ratings, I chose to watch this fabulous show and remained addicted, only for you to take it away!! The UK is buying so many american shows and yet there are few that keep us entertained as this one! Why tempt us all with an witty storyline, gorgeous charactors and scenary to crave for and then take it away – especially without finishing the story!! Pls pls bring it back for 1 final season to we don’t feel like it was… Read more »
🙁 so sad. I really enjoyed season one and it ended with so many cliffhangers! They need to market it more, especially here in the UK. Im in a group of friend who would all love it, unfortunately NOBODY HAD HEARD OF IT until i reccomended it… and now theyre all hooked aswell! Its a real dissapointment we arent getting another series (or even a made for tv movie) to resolve it all, dont we as viewers deserve this? This seriously puts me off ever watching anything produced by CW again, i dont want to go through getting hooked then… Read more »