Why Was Shadowhunters Cancelled and Can it Be Revived?

Shadowhunters was cancelled after its ratings dropped off, but it developed a devoted fanbase who are still fight for the show today.

What Is It?

This urban fantasy series is based on the Mortal Instruments book series by Cassandra Clare and follows a young woman who discovers on her eighteenth birthday that she is half human and half angel. She has powers that she never knew she possessed and she joins up with a group known as Shadowhunters who protect humans from demons and other supernatural menaces. The first book in the series was adapted as the feature film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones in 2013, but it did not fare well at the Box Office. The TV series took the story to the small screen with plans to adapt all of the books in the series and perhaps carry on from there.

Aired: Freeform, 2016-19, 3 Seasons Totaling 55 Episodes

Starring: Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia

Developed By: Ed Decter

Why Was It Cancelled?

When this show first debuted on Freeform in January 2016, it had one of the most-watched premieres ever for that cable network. The numbers slipped after that, but it still had decent ratings for a basic cable entry across most of its first two seasons. In addition, since it appealed to a younger-skewing audience who were very active online, it had good “stickiness” on the social networks which essentially acted as free promotion for the show. It also did well in digital viewing, but by the third season the ratings had dropped further and its future was not quite as clear.

The show’s production company Constantin lost its output deal with Netflix at that time–the streamer held the international distribution rights for Shadowhunters–and they turned to Freeform to help with finances for additional seasons. A deal could not be worked out, but the cable net insisted on at least a two-part finale to give the show the chance to wrap up its storylines. Ultimately, the show managed to cover through the sixth book in the series, though fans felt that it was rushed and deserved at least another full season.

How Did Fans Respond?

While the show did not have strong linear viewing numbers, especially in its third season, it developed a notably large fanbase which included those who watched it internationally on Netflix. Upon the news of the cancellation, they immediately came to its support and got the show trending on the social networks, staged watch parties, put up online petitions, and more. In addition, they raised money to put up billboards in Times Square and other locations and flew a “Save Shadowhunters” banner over the Netflix offices in Los Angeles (fans of The Expanse did a similar thing over Amazon studios). But despite their efforts, no fourth season announcement was forthcoming, and the show’s producer Martin Moszkowicz had the following to say about any sort of continuation:

It’s not possible for this version of Shadowhunters to continue. To our loyal and vocal fans who put so much behind making the show the popular series that it became, we extend our deepest thanks for your enduring support. The outpouring from the fandom from the start, and since the announcement of the show’s cancellation has indelibly touched all of us involved.  Shadowhunters must come to an end. While we are trying to figure out new ways and new incarnations in which to bring the Shadow World to fans worldwide, we are sad to say that after many efforts by all parties involved, it’s not possible for this version of Shadowhunters to continue.

But the fans have remained diligent since the show went off the air and the online petition is still active (with over two hundred thousand signatures so far). And Shadowhunters continues to attract new fans with all three seasons available for streaming on Hulu in the U.S. and on Netflix worldwide. So the hope for a continuation remains alive.

Can It Be Revived?

Despite the comments by Moszkowicz above, there is always a chance in the entertainment industry that a show could rise from the grave. The fact that the fans have remained so passionate about Shadowhunters is a testament in itself that it struck a nerve with a notable segment of viewers. It has been two years since the show wrapped up, and now may be the perfect time for fans to resume their efforts. I’m not certain what deal Netflix made for the global rights, but usually whatever hold that streamer has on a property ends two years after the show has wrapped. So the rights may be back with Constantin and may have been with them the whole time.  In addition, a fourth season of twenty episodes (the same count as the second and third) would get this close to what the syndication market prefers and big profits can be made there.

In the U.S., the show is streaming on Hulu and that would be a great location for a fourth season. The fans have already staged viewing parties for the show on that streaming service, but maybe a subscription drive to get people to sign up for Hulu to watch Shadowhunters would bring more attention (it appeals to the bottom line which network execs like). That along with getting the show trending again might revive interest. We are only two years removed from when the show ended, so now is still a good time to try once again to bring it back. This one definitely has the support of the fans, and a fourth season (or perhaps a few movies) would almost certainly bring a subscription boost to Hulu. With enough effort, this is definitely doable.

Did you watch Shadowhunters and would you support fan efforts to bring it back? Chime in below in the comments.

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