NBC has cancelled the Thursday airings of their low-rated legal series, The Firm, and sent it packing to Saturday nights at 9pm beginning February 11th.
The Firm follows attorney Mitch McDeere (Josh Lucas), his wife Abby (Molly Parker), and their daughter Claire (Natasha Calis), as they emerge from the witness protection program after 10 years. They relocate to Washington, DC to restart their lives but problems from the past quickly resurface. The show’s cast also includes Callum Keith Rennie, Juliette Lewis, Tricia Helfer, and Shaun Majumder.
NBC had high hopes for the legal drama but it stumbled in the ratings right from the start. The two-hour premiere of The Firm registered just a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.32 million viewers. The numbers got even worse once the show moved to Thursday nights and, for the past two weeks, has only mustered a 0.8 rating with fewer than three million total viewers.
It’s no surprise that NBC is banishing The Firm to Saturday nights with ratings like these. Grimm repeats will fill the Thursdays at 10pm timeslot for the immediate future. Starting March 1st, the peacock network’s new drama Awake will take over.
While it looks highly unlikely that NBC will purchase a second season of The Firm, it seems certain that viewers will get to see all 22 episodes of season one.
If The Firm had been a typical network show, the episode order probably would have been cut down to 13 installments because of the low ratings. However, NBC’s deal for The Firm is unique and a bit more like the one the network had for Merlin, the supernatural drama produced by the BBC.
Sony and Entertainment One partnered to produce The Firm, primarily for the overseas market. Thanks to pre-sales and Canadian production tax credits, the cost of producing the series was already paid for and NBC was able to pick up the show for a greatly reduced licensing fee, just like any other secondary buyer.
If The Firm had been a big success, NBC would have made quite a profit on the series. As things worked out, the network may still be making some money on the deal or at least hasn’t lost much.
Will there be a second season? That depends on Sony and Entertainment One, not NBC.
What do you think? Do you like The Firm? Do you think it should continue?
Image courtesy NBC.
BRING IT BACK!!,!,!,!,!,!
The firm is one of the better shows on TV. I hope someone reconsiders decision to cancel the show. It is intelligent, well acted and each episode leaves you wanting more.
I love The Firm. Most people think it’s a remake of the movie. The producers should have promoted it properly. Great series!
I look forward to every Saturday for the firm! It is such a great show and I want to know what happens! The plot is great and every episode leaves you hanging and wanting more! Please don’t cancel it, it will be very upsetting!
Pleaseeeee don’t cancel this show again!!!! It is one of the best shows on TV.
Great Drama, great plot!, we need more series like this and less not so real reality shows. Bring back The Firm!!!
I agree with all of the above comments. The Firm is/was a great drama.
I am really surprised that it received such dismal ratings.
I want The Firm back
I loved the show and can’t believe you cancelled it! It kept me on the edge of my seat each episode. I need closure from the series finale!
PLEASE don’t cancel this show it is VERY good…..we need to see what happens at the trial!!!!!!!
Love this show….PLEASE don’t cancel.
Liked this show very much. It was a little slow in the being, but after a few shows I became a faithful watcher. Better than some shows they keep on renewing. Want a second season.
Finally…. a show that has foresight, intellect, and keeps you on the edge of your seat! Not just another reality TV show. Thanks for a great season…looking forward to what’s next 🙂
Love the show. Hope there will be another season
Absolutley love the show! So addicted even got my boyfriend into!! Please don’t cancel it I love it!!!