(Ken Woroner/HBO)
Tonight, HBO airs the first season finale of the Run TV series. Though the cable channel has been quiet about whether the series will return for a second season or not, we now know that Ruby and Billy won’t be back.
The Run TV series stars Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson, with recurring guest stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Rich Sommer, Tamara Podemski, and Archie Panjabi. In college, Ruby Richardson (Wever) and her boyfriend, Billy Johnson (Gleeson), made a pact. They promised that, if either one of them texted the word “RUN” and the other replied with the same, they would drop everything and meet in Grand Central Station and travel across America together. Now, 17 years later, Ruby is shaken out of her humdrum suburban life with that text and she walks away from her ordinary suburb life and flies to New York. There, she reunites with Billy and boards a cross-country train. As their adventure begins, Ruby and Billy fight the tension that still exists between them while attempting to root out each other’s secrets.
Airing on Sunday nights since April 12th, the first season of Run has averaged a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 236,000 total viewers in the live+same day ratings. The traditional numbers are certainly not impressive and Run is one of HBO’s lower-rated series.
Though HBO’s press release for tonight’s finale (“Trick”) merely designates the episode as the “season finale”, HBO’s site notes that it’s also indeed the “series finale” (see below). While the HBO execs could change their minds and renew the Run series for a second season at some point in the future (ala Big Little Lies), it seems that the seventh installment was designed as the show’s last.
What do you think? Did you watch the Run TV series on HBO? Would you have watched a second season?
Update: The series creator of Run is still hoping for a second season renewal from HBO.
Love the writers for this show but good God, this one was a dud. Terribly unlikable characters. I’m sticking to fleabag and killing Eve.
Great storyline, great writing, great characters, GREAT acting!!! Don’t let this be the end of RUN!!!!
I really liked Run — it was quirky, unique, well acted & romantic. I am shocked & saddened to read that there won’t be a Season Two! Ruby walking away to obediently join her husband is not the end of that story. The cliffhanger ending was OK only if there was going to be another season. HBO should give Run more time – they have done so with lesser shows. Run is not your usual rom-com, & probably isn’t the easiest to market. However, HBO didn’t try very hard. I hope they reconsider. I want to see Billy & Ruby’s… Read more »
OMG !!! I REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS SHOW !I just saw the finale, hoping it’s only a season finale. This show is so very unique” it gives us quirky, loveable,likeable, real characters with whom we get to live vicariously by…performed by both the great, super talented Wever and equally, if not more so talented , Gleeson ( love his dad equally, by the way ). This is a very creative storyline and it gives us a chance to see the dynamics of two people who dare to rekindle the sparks that lead to an adventurous departure from a dull and… Read more »
Renew RUN, please!
Yes! Would definately watch a season 2!
Heck yeah I would have watched season two. I hate when HBO does this! They do it all the time too. Make a excellent show, only to leave everyone hanging when they cancel it after one or two seasons. I hate it!
Yes! How can Ruby return to her frustrated existence? And Domhnall Gleason is fantastic in this part. DON’T RUN!
I enjoyed every episode. Well written dialogue and great acting by all cast, especially Domhnal Gleeson. The plot twists push the envelope of believability but that’s part of the fun. Satisfying ending; I don’t think it should be renewed.
I liked the series and would definitely watch a second season. In fact, I was disappointed to learn it wasn’t returning.
I enjoyed the show RUN. It was a smart ,funny look at a love lost. The show deserves a second season to see how Ruby survives back in her box. Come on HBO!
Enjoyed the story. Found myself wrapped up in Run from week to week, and truly looked forward to watching each episode. I think there’s more story to tell. I hope that HBO get’s enough positive response to consider doing another season.
I love Run….. please don’t cancel
I love Run! It’s the one thing I look forward to most each week, especially because of the cast. Especially because of Merritt Wever! And the pairing with Domhnall Gleeson made it even better. How can this only have 7 weeks? Seven weeks! I’m old enough to remember when TV shows ran for 22 weeks, so 7 is a rather anemic trial. I WANT MORE! HBO, you are slipping and maybe it’s time to switch out of your pricey lineup and into the multitude of other competitors.
Yes would definitely have watched a second season. Two main actors were excellent. Script was entertaining but the acting made the series more than worthwhile. Great performances by both in the drama and comedic departments. Viewership was most likely impacted negatively by the pandemic and associated alteration to viewership as a result.
The pandemic should’ve greatly helped the show. There are viewers glued to mobile devices and their TV’s than ever before. There’s little on any of the social media platforms for this show compared to say, Insecure. It’s done. Move on.
I’m extremely upset that the show won’t be back. What a let down. The story hasn’t ended. HBO could give the show one more season to wrap things up. Awful decision.