Status: Cancelled
Aired: 2021-23, 2 Seasons Totaling 23 Episodes
Series Premiere: August 10, 2021
Network: FOX
Starring: Roselyn Sanchez, Kiara Barnes, John Gabriel Rodriquez
Series Website: www.fox.com/fantasy-island/
Description: This August, FOX travels to FANTASY ISLAND, with an all-new version of the classic show. A modern semi-anthology series, FANTASY ISLAND takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the “what if” questions — both big and small — that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires, and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island. Serving as steward of this mysterious island is ELENA ROARKE (Roselyn Sanchez, “Devious Maids,” “Grand Hotel”), a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke. Elena set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, her calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed. Assisting Elena is RUBY OKORO (Kiara Barnes, “The Bold and the Beautiful”), a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness, and is given a new lease on life there; and pilot JAVIER (John Gabriel Rodriquez, “Miranda’s Rights,” “Rosewood”), who also is the head of island transportation and a jack of all trades. FOX.com
Teaser:
You can see the current schedule of sci fi and fantasy shows at this link.
Why Was It Cancelled? This show never enjoyed strong ratings (except when it had football as its lead-in), but it operated under a low-cost model and had a lower threshold for success. Its second season premiere was delayed multiple times and then the show was frequently preempted which hurt its chances of building up an audience. It is possible that the writers’ strike could have factored into the cancellation decision, but there were talks of it shifting back to Summer, so it might not have experienced a delay due to production stoppage. It is also possible that the LGBT+ representation in the show did not sit well with executives at the conservative-leaning network even though that was toned down in the second year. In any case, FOX decided to cut ties with the show after two seasons.
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