Status: Cancelled
Aired: 2016 (1 Season Totaling 12 Episodes)
Network: Esquire
Starring: Kieran Bew, Lolita Chakrabarti, Joanne Whalley, Ed Speleers
Series Website: tv.esquire.com/shows/beowulf
Description: Based on the complex protagonist of a classic poem written between the eighth and tenth century, Beowulf takes place in a mythological place, The Shieldlands, and challenges the notions of good and evil, heroes and villains, and the rule of law against one’s moral code. The drama stars Kieran Bew (DA VINCI’S DEMONS), in the lead role Beowulf; multi-award-winning actor William Hurt (DAMAGES); acclaimed actress Joanne Whalley (WOLF HALL); Ed Speleers (DOWNTON ABBEY) and David Ajala (BLACK BOX). tv.esquire.com
Why Was It Cancelled? While I have not seen official word from ITV on the cancellation, this piece from The Sun pretty much tells the story. It appears that ITV wanted this to be their Game of Thrones, and they put a lot of money into the production. But apparently not enough was spent on the writing staff as this show received tepid at best reviews, and I have heard of few viewers that thought highly of it. It was a decent idea as there is plenty to elaborate on from the source material, but it would appear that this one suffered from the execution and the audience lost interest pretty quickly. The original Beowulf story is in the public domain, though, so don’t be surprised to see another attempt at a television adaptation.
Season to Date (StD) Ratings Results:
| Air Date | Airings | Live+SD Rtg | StD Avg | Tot Vwrs (M) | Live+7 Rtg | Cancel Alert |
| 1/23/16 | 1 | 0.07 | 0.1 | 0.3 | n/a | Moderate |
| 1/30/16 | 2 | 0.04 | 0.1 | 0.2 | n/a | Moderate |
| 2/6/16 | 3 | 0.04 | 0.1 | 0.2 | n/a | Moderate |
| 2/13/16 | 4 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.2 | n/a | Moderate |
| 2/20/16 | 5 | 0.04 | 0.0 | 0.2 | n/a | Moderate |
| 2/27/16 | 6 | 0.04 | 0.0 | 0.2 | n/a | Renewed |
| 3/5/16 | 7 | 0.04 | 0.0 | 0.1 | n/a | Moderate |
| 3/12/16 | 8 | 0.02 | 0.0 | 0.2 | n/a | Moderate |
| 3/19/16 | 9 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.2 | n/a | Moderate |
| 3/26/16 | 10 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.1 | n/a | Moderate |
| 4/2/16 | 11 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.2 | n/a | Moderate |
| 4/9/16 | 12 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.2 | n/a | Elevated |
For the latest updates on the current and upcoming shows, follow Cancellation Watch and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site
