NBC announced this morning that its cancelled time travel series Timeless with get a little bit more time to wrap up its tale. The network has given the greenlight to a two-part finale that will allow the series to resolve the cliffhanger ending from the second season. This is actually the second time the show has been saved from cancellation as the network axed it after its first season but reconsidered after a huge outpouring of support from the fans. The show was given a ten-episode second season that aired this past Spring but its viewership continued to decline. NBC and the show’s studio Sony tried to work out a deal to bring it back for an third year, but that fell short and the network decided to cancel it. There was an attempt to shop it around to other venues, but the show did not draw enough interest. The last hope for the fans was a two-hour finale and they have been waiting eagerly to hear if that would happen. Now, NBC has decided to move forward with that which will air during the holiday time.
Series creators Shawn Ryan and Eric Kripke had this to say about the decision:
We’re thrilled to take the Lifeboat out for one last spin and bring closure to our story. The studio, network, cast and crew are all doing this for one reason only: the fans. Because they deserve it. Because the fans made this happen and we thank them for their passion, support and helicopters. So? You guys want to get Rufus back or what?
This finale will come at considerable cost to NBC, but it will allow the show to play better in binge-viewing and make it more attractive to the streaming services. And this is yet another example, just like with the recently saved The Expanse and Lucifer, that fan engagement and active participation on the social networks in support of a show can can make a difference.
Timeless follows a group of experts who go back in time and try to stop a person who has stolen a time machine and is trying to change history. It comes from The Shield‘s Shawn Ryan and Supernatural‘s Erik Kripke and stars Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, Malcolm Barrett, and Goran Višnjić.
Be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates as the Summer months wind down and we come to the end of the 2017-18 season.
