After four seasons on ABC Family, teen drama Wildfire ends tonight. Devoted fans are understandably upset. So, why is it leaving?
Wildfire debuted back on June 25, 2005 and revolves around the world of horse racing. The series began with teen Kristine “Kris” Furillo (Genevieve Cortese) coming to the Raintree Farm from a juvenile detention center.
Season one averaged just over a million weekly viewers and season two increased to 1.56 million, an increase of over 50%. Unfortunately, season three dropped back to the first year’s numbers. Season four debuted in January. Soonafter, ABC Family announced that Wildfire had been cancelled.
Fans have petitioned ABC Family to continue the series. The folks at SaveWildfire.com have sent truckloads of hay, 500 cast iron horseshoes, apples, rope, and 1,000 pounds of carrots. Unfortunately, it’s higher ratings and additional viewers that the show really needs. As CBS learned from Jericho, a passionate campaign doesn’t necessarily mean that viewers will tune in.
ABC Family’s media relations manager, Amy Maloney, told the Albuquerque Journal that the fan support doesn’t come as much of a surprise. She said, “It is par for the course, in a sense that we’ve always known there is a strong fan base for the show… It’s flattering. It’s exciting.” In other words, Wildfire has a core audience but it’s not big enough for ABC Family.
Word is that Lionsgate, the company that produces the series, is looking for a new home for Wildfire. If the series is renewed, producer Lester Berman the cast and crew are ready. He says, “We’re saving a lot of the set dressing and the uniforms. We’re putting it in storage just in case there’s a miracle that [Wildfire] comes back.”
When the cast and crew wrapped their filming in June 2007, they were unsure if they would be back for season five. A few months ago, Cortese spoke proudly of Wildfire and the season four closer. She said, “I think we have one of the best casts and crews in television… On the other hand, we also end (this season) on a really cool note. I’d be glad to go back and get to work again with people I love, but if not, at least I’ll know we did a great job.” Stay tuned! 
I just watched Wildfire all four seasons in two weeks…. I need more… Please reconsider making season 5…. I am absolutely hooked…. American idol and all the other shows are getting lame and i really think this would work out way better….
It would be cool if Teen Nick could give WildFire a “new home” !!!
please, please, please bring back the show i love it so much it is my favorite i want to see more even what happens after the wedding jr is so cute and i cryed after the last episode i want to see more
I am really upset with abc family for letting wildfire off the air. I just finished season 4 on Netflix and never knew this show existed. If they would have taken more of effort to promote this wonderful show none of this would have taken place. I am very disappointed in abc family.
ive been watching wildfire since they started i just recently gotten season 1-4 on disk and rewatched them in the order they came because i missed a few shows but this is a great show even my 3 year old loves to watch it because of the love for the horses which she is infatuated with and recently got one for her 3rd birthday i really wish yall would rethink and start season 5 we are waiting patiently on new episodes thanks so much
They need at least 1 other season otherwise what was the point of jean and pablo giving Kris wildfire?!! it is an amazing series and i really want more of it!!
I just finished all four seasons
still pissed that Season 4 isnt on sale anywhere
what happened?
and like alot of shows I wish they didnt end it after 4 seasons
I love it but yeah there is a point when Kris becomes somewhat unbearable
Im like honey, you gotta get past your issues and be happy for a change! the writing does falter in some areas but at least shes a determined woman
I’ll miss the show and the ending made me very happy and clap with joy
I loved Wildfire as well. I usually watch old t.v. series on Netflix. I wish Netflix could be an alternative to these stupid networks, which keep cancelling excellent t.v. series. Many times they don’t even have a series finale for the audience.
I was just going through old VHS tapes and came across one of the early episodes. It’s the one where Kris rescues Wildfire and runs him all over while being tracked by helicopter, Sheriffs on horseback, in cars and by Pablo and Matt. What a rush! I am in my 60s and loved the show. I’m a horse lover and was upset that this show was cancelled. I would watch it if it were to be resurrected. Go Wildfire!!!
its seems to be a shame that great programs come out of america then get cancelled i have watched all season from 1 to 4 and realy enjoyed everyone so ite seems very sad when a good program comes to a end
lee smith from cumbria in england
me and my mum watched it every day on e4 we loved it and its a really big shame it ended.
l wish you would make a nother season, there are lots more things could happen mary
The show started out well, but lost its way. Kris started out as a character you rooted for, but eventually never grew beyond her adolescent years. What kind of person treats a family as she did and they take her back. The show became a soap opera and it made complete sense that it was cancelled. Only a couple of characters actually grew to people I wouldn’t mind having dinner with on a Saturday night. A family show that started with heart and tried to become ‘Desperate Housewives’ light. Something happened in the writing of this show. How it started… Read more »
Thanks for telling the ending JB. Jerk. I thought the show was great so far.
Jan » The show ended three years ago. How long do you need spoiler alerts?
JB you are the man….(or woman)…for having realized that this show started out as something worth watching and steadily declined after all the forced drama and nonsensical behavior from most of the characters. I’m halfway through the third season and even I’m begging for the series to end.
I recently finished watching the Wildfire series via Netflix, and I have to agree with JB. I really liked the show in the beginning, but some of the characters’ life choices were unbelievable. For example, the way Kris jumped back and forth between Matt and Junior. Her relationship with Junior was never believable to me. One minute she’s professing her love for Matt, leaves, and then comes back to get together with Junior. She and Matt were better suited as a couple. That said, the wedding finale to the show was very appropriate. I was so glad to see that… Read more »
WILDFIRE was great show and they should bring it back. If they did i would tune in to every episode and so would my friends who enjoyed the show. The cast was so good and they worked well together why not give it one more chance to bring in the viewers.
Recently i watch wildfire because i’d remember watching it as a kid and once i watch the first episode i was hooked! Its such a good story and i wish it never ended!! Ive finished the seasons and im soo sad theres no more! I really absolutly hope of this show will become a movie or another series! I think tge writers and the cast did a great job! But i do ammit that the 2nd season seemed like it took the whole season for one thing to happen. But the 3rd wow & 4th! Lol
I love Wildfire. I always made sure that I was home to watch it or I would make sure I was able to tape it. It would be really great if they would bring it back. This show was a great inspiration to many young adults. Its shows that even if you make a mistake you can always have another chance to do the right thing. It dealt with real life issues and showed them handling them in a real life manner. Most shows these days are so unrealistic that its hard to identify with them. Wildfire will be one… Read more »