Think you favorite show is safe just because it's been renewed? Well it's 2020, so think again. Deadline reports that ABC has reversed it's decision to renew Stumptown for a second season, and will now cancel the series. Aside from some sort of scandal or some sort of casting issue, I can't think of another time that this has happened. So what's going on?
The Cobie Smulders led series was part of the Fall lineup released by ABC in June, had a Comic-Con@Home panel in July and now it's gone in September. Apparently production delays due to COVID-19 made a Fall release for the show almost impossible. So, instead of delaying the series (which has been done by other networks and is all the rage in movie making Hollywood), ABC decided to just cancel it altogether. Seems like a rather extreme response for a show that did quite well last season and had started to build quite the loyal fanbase. The show having a big of a bigger budget due to stunts and multiple filming locations probably didn't help matters.
This has to make fans a bit uneasy, honestly. If stunt scenes and romance scenes are a concern, then a whole list of shows could be in serious trouble going forward. I'm sure different networks and studios have different restrictions, but is still makes you think. The report goes on to say that the series will be shopped to other networks, but that could be a bit difficult as well. ABC Studios is one of the companies in charge of production, along with Don't Tell Mom and The District according to IMDB. Making a move to another network, or streaming service, could prove tricky.
More on this as it develops. Until then, check out our interviews with the Stumptown case from SDCC 2019.
Photo Credit: ABC