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 have just watched all four seasons loved it haven’t slept . I love horses and the country sure wish they would find a way to bring it back.
I wish there were like 12 seasons
My husband and I just love this series and are on the last two episodes and don’t want it to end. I told my sister about the series so her and her husband are watching it as well and love it. It is so nice to have a very interesting show that does not have killing and swearing in it. The love for animals on this show is beautiful. Please please bring this show back.
I have watched wildfire for the 4th time. I really want to see what happens next for Kristen and Jr and the rest of them. Please renew the series with a huge come back.
Me too! I love watching wildfire.
I really enjoyed watching wildfire for the 4th time I really want to see what happens next in this series. Please do another season and more of this.
Why would you drop this it means allot to many ppl wth
I’m dumbfounded that this series was cancelled. I never knew about it so obviously the advertising wasn’t there. Maybe Lionsgate should do a relaunch with Hallmark or a family oriented network other than ABC…just a thought but I believe if they did it would be a HUGE success.
Please bring back the series the wildfire, I absolutely have Loved growing up watching This series My sister and I and my kids love this when I found out it was getting canceled I thought about not watching again, I want my kids to grow up loving animals as much as this series has, please renew it.
I hope they will do a season five, it’s a great tv series!!
The recent C19 virus allowed time to watch shows that I would ordinarily skip. What a stoke of luck to stumble on this excellent series. Like so many others I think relaunching this series would be successful.
I hope it comes back, I Love this Show !
I have just watched Wildfire with my grandkids an they loved it. I loved the ups an downs of real life families. I cried an laughed. I really love it. I hope it does start back.
Please bring back WildFire series!!!!!!! It’s such a wonderful show!!! Don’t be like the others and just throw in the towel!! This is a very valuable and true show!! People need shows like this in their lives not the other crap that airs!! Sadly I didn’t find the show until 2018, I was only able to view 2 seasons, heard it was cancelled was extremely disappointed it was no longer airing. Then I found season 3 and 4 on Amazon (which I’m currently watching on Amazon 10/12/19). Please have Amazon Prime or Hulu or Netflix to pick up this show!!!!… Read more »
One of the best tv shows I have ever watched and a shame it was cancelled We need more shows like this instead of the trash that is being shown on tv now it’s no wonder family values are being trashed
Just saw Wildfire series. Read it was cancelled due to wanting more viewers.
I didn’t have cable TV!!!
Put the series on non-cable TV and continue the series. Hold onto your boots when the #s increase. Best series EVER. Continue even though ten years later and keep Pablo and Jean as well!
Wow I can’t believe that you are ending a show like this.!!!. You need to have a season 5. I’m far from a teenager but I have entruly enjoyed this show. But with this being said I want to know what happens with life going forward.