Chris Carter’s Millennium was cancelled by FOX after three seasons, but both Carter and series star Lance Henriksen support a revival, and fans help could make that happen.
[Update 9/30/21]
What Is It?
This series focuses on ex-FBI agent Frank Black (with an Emmy-worthy portrayal by genre-favorite Lance Henriksen) who was previously a criminal profiler and who has a unique ability to “see” the crime scene from the eyes of the killer. He works as a consultant for the Millennium group solving crimes while also looking for evidence to support the group’s belief that evil forces are coming together as the end of the second millennium approaches and these present a threat to humanity.
Aired: FOX, 1996-99, 3 Seasons Totaling 67 Episodes
Starring: Lance Henriksen, Megan Gallagher, Terry O’Quinn, Brittany Tiplady, Kristen Cloke, Klea Scott
Created By: Chris Carter
Why Was It Cancelled?
The premiere of this highly-anticipated Chris Carter series delivered one of the highest-rated hours ever for FOX up to that time, though the numbers took a downward turn from there–largely because it was a very dark show for Prime Time. The second season was more of a fan-favorite, though the ratings continued to decline. And apparently the creative team expected cancellation because the Season 2 finale delivered a rather apocalyptic ending. But FOX did end up bring the show back for a third year. The ratings did not improve, though, and Millennium was cancelled at the end of the year, leaving the story on a pretty large cliffhanger. Part of the difficulties it faced in attracting an audience was the fact that it aired on Fridays, though The X-Files had previously done well on that night. But the show was also very dark and intense and did not fit in well with typical Prime Time fare.
How Can a Series This Old Still Be Saved?
A finale of sorts was offered the next season when Frank Black made an appearance on The X-Files in the appropriately titled episode “Millennium”, which aired shortly before the turn of the century. But that failed to provide a satisfying ending and Lance Henriksen would lobby for a continuation of the show for years to follow. A five-issue comic book series was published by IDW starting in 2015 (which comes highly recommended) which offered a nice shout-out to fans as well as another X-Files cross-over. But Henriksen continued to push for a movie or a TV revival to give the story better closure. The group Back to Frank Black has actively stumped for a revival of the show over the years as well.
The X-Files was brought back on FOX for a tenth season in 2016 which proved quite popular, and Henriksen again started to make noise about a Millennium revival. But the X-Files reboot would peter out after a poorly received eleventh season, though interest in a return of Frank Black has not died down. The excellent documentary Millennium After the Millennium was released in 2018, and both Henriksen and Carter give their thoughts on how the show could be wrapped up with a movie or mini-series (which could possibly also lead into a spin-off focusing on Frank’s daughter Jordan). Henricksen even put out a Tweet in October 2020 asking “Would you like to see #Millennium return? Let us know!”.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the series premiere will be on October 25, 2021 and the show is currently getting some attention because of that. Now is definitely the time for the fans to start making some noise and build up some buzz for the the show in hopes that it might spur an interest in a revival.
What Can the Fans Do?
Would you like to see #Millennium return? Let us know! pic.twitter.com/FmJuktEHiZ
— Lance Henriksen (@lancehenriksen) October 22, 2020
One of the first things that fans can do is to make a push for this show to be available for viewing again. The DVDs are out of print and fetching a pretty high price, it never received the Blu-ray treatment, and it is not currently available for streaming. So those who have never seen it or who might want to revisit it do not have many options at the moment. I’m not certain if the rights for this one shifted to Disney with the purchase of 20th Century FOX Entertainment, but if it did, now is the time to let the new owners know that people want to see this series. Hulu, which is mostly owned by Disney, would certainly be a good location for the series and possibly the revival as well. Shudder, which is a horror-themed streaming service owned by AMC, would be a possible destination as well. More info on how to request the show on these services is at this link.
Getting the original series streaming again, along with continued support from the fans as well as the attention it will get for its 25th anniversary, could help to spark interest in a revival that would provide a suitable wrap up for the show. And there is definitely some financial incentive to adding a conclusion to the original run. The show was cut short at three seasons and 67 episodes, so enough additional eps to get it to 80 would make it more attractive to the syndication market and also provide a more satisfying binge-watch on one of the streaming services. They could put together a thirteen-episode final season, and the payoff down the road in the syndication market would certainly justify the cost. Even a six-episode mini-series that provides a conclusion could make Millennium more attractive as a streaming and/or syndication package. And sure, we are well past the year 2000, but there are plenty of explanations that could be worked in to say that current calendars are not in sync with the true universal timeline.
In order for this to happen, though, there needs to be stronger grass roots support. Millennium fans need to band together, with the Back to Frank Black group possibly leading the charge, and make a strong Call to Action on the social networks. If they can draw some attention, this could perk up interest from the network execs and possibly get something moving. Henriksen is definitely onboard and he will support efforts to lobby for the show, possibly Carter as well. Networks love reboots/revivals and this is a show that deserves a proper ending. If fans step up–and we at CancelledSciFi.com will lend our support–it is still possible this could happen.
Are you a fan of Millennium and would you support efforts for a revival? Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
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I just paid to watch Millenium after The Millenium on Amazon. I sure would love to see it revived as long as it can remain dark and complex. Such a brilliant show and amazingly done.
I’m all for this. This show remains my favorite of all time because if always felt like watching a mini horror movie than watching a show. And horror was my jam!
I would love to see Millennium rebooted. Lance’s character, Frank Black, was able to see into the mind of wickedness, explain it, and dispose of it, but, perhaps, not all in one episode. The supernatural influence behind criminal activity needs more exposure and Millennium did an excellent job of this. Imagine how the events of the past two or so years would look, explored from the perspective of diabolical, supernaturally-fired conspiracy, inspiration, deception, manipulation; and, there are so many subject areas to choose from. Additionally, let’s face it, woke sitcoms, pseudo-dramas, and game shows are all like cotton candy: little, if any substance; and, when the saccharine’s gone, all that’s left is a bad taste in one’s mouth and a belly ache. We, and “we” know who we are, need programs that tell stories that engage us, mentally and emotionally, with challenging plot-lines and characters we can identify with, not the mind-numbing sort of thing that appeals to the Facebook or Twitter crowds, (which is why you don’t find me there). Com’on all you great, under-appreciated writers and producers of wonderful shows like Millennium, Criminal Minds, 24, etc. Abandon the Facebooks, Metas & the Twitterverse. That’s where things go to die. Even Netflix is committing suicide going woke the way it has. Present these ideas to sound companies like Paramount, Fox, Sony, and the like. Get them back on board with good programs again. It’s a shame to see such a wonderful industry crumbling away like it is. So yes, bring back Millennium. Call it “Second Millennium”. Begin by doing a proper close for the first Millennium, then, look around at all the fertile fields, demanding to be explored.
I absolutely support Millenium being renewed. I support Lance Henrikson as the lead in a show he won my heart with. Will it be different? Absolutely. Will it be pertinent and watchable? Of course. The fan base is strong and we will be here asking for a network intelligent enough to see the importance of a strong show looking for answers for the world now.
I am in support of Millennium reruns being aired plus a dvd re-release. I am also in support of another season…actually more seasons of Millennium. It was the best show around and I was devastated when they ended it. Please bring back Frank Black and the Millennium team! I long to hear Frank’s soothingly voice!
“This is who we are…”
Thanks,
Terri B.
I would absolutely love a 13 episode, final season
Brimstone was Ethan Rieff and Cyrus Voris.
And speaking of Chris Carter, why was his Brimstone series given such a short shrift? The storyline could be seen in Spawn comics and the mini series ‘The Cape’ and obviously inspired and held the interest of fans. The cast of ‘stone went on to include Teri Polo as a reporter who was rich with intuitive vision and was definitely ‘on the case’. And the marvelous Lori Petty cast as a grunge/punk flophouse manager was the highlight of every scene and episode that featured her. And then, it was gone.
A friend back in the day suggested that the gifted Chris Carter suffered from constant distractions and that the complement of his work might be called: ‘Short Attention Span Theatre’. I never agreed but thought it was funny nonetheless.
Hope that someone has an answer to this.
Brimstone was actually not a Chris Carter show, but it was definitely cancelled too soon (would have been great to have that one cross-over with Millennium). You can read more on the cancellation of Brimstone here: http://www.cancelledscifi.com/2020/10/24/cancelled-too-soon-brimstone-1998/