NBC Cancels Timeless, Cast and Crew React

Deadline reports that NBC has cancelled the sci-fi series Timeless after two seasons, but it could possibly get a TV movie to wrap up the story. NBC initially postponed their decision until after the May upfronts, but decided on the show’s fate before the options of the cast were set to expire.

NBC and producer Sony Pictures TV have been talking about a two-hour movie that would resolve the cliffhanger from season two and wrap up the show for fans. They haven’t been able to work out a financial plan yet, but are still talking. Sony plans on exploring options to keep it alive, but don’t plan to extend the contracts that expire on June 30 due to cost. If a movie happens, the cast will have to sign new deals.

The issue with a possible movie is expense, as it means increasing production and getting the team back together for a project that will make little money for NBC or Sony. The only series to do this in the past decade was CSI, which already made money for CBS and created a billion dollar franchise with spin-offs. Netflix also did it with Sense8.

Fans have been campaigning for the show’s renewal on social media, with #RenewTimeless on Twitter. It was also #1 on USA Today’s “Save our Shows” poll for the second year in a row. NBC cancelled the series last year before changing their minds three days later. The second season ended with a cliffhanger, as Wyatt and Lucy came back without Rufus, who was killed. Then an upgraded Lifeboat shows up with future versions of the two, who offer to help get him back.

In the first season, the show had an average of 2.2 Live+7 in the adults 18-49 demographic. Season two came back in March with an 0.8 rating in the demo and 3 million viewers (Live+same day), down from the season one finale (0.9, 3.4 million), a series high. Numbers were generally down for the show. The season two finally brought in a 0.6 demo rating and 2.4 million viewers, up 20% from the previous episode and down 35% from the season one finale, respectively.

NBC President Robert Greenblatt said back in May: “We are hopeful and yet realistic as we have a lot of shows. We are going to take a look at (Timeless and Champions) after their run and hopefully make a quick decision on them.”

Even with $9.6 million in tax credits from California’s incentive program after moving to Los Angeles from Vancouver, the costs are expensive. It requires a different location every week due ot the time travel. The show was produced by Davis Entertainment, Kripke Enterprises and MiddKid Productions with Sony Pictures Television. It’s produced by creators Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan, along with John Davis, John Fox, Marney Hochman and Neill Marshall.

Meanwhile, the show’s creators and cast mourned the loss on social media.

Oh boy. This news sucks. Not what we expected and NOT what our fans deserved. BIG GULP!
This mama bear wants to thank our #Timeless fans for all their love and support and for creating the vibrant, compassion community we are all now a part of.
❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/3tlzmX0EBq

— Sakina Jaffrey (@sakinajaffrey) June 22, 2018

THANK YOU cast, writers, crew and most all all, the #clockblockers for your brilliance & passion. I love you all. I was proud to bring a little positivity & inclusion into this f-d up world. I will keep my personal thoughts about network TV private until we get this movie made. https://t.co/DQc8corGGM

— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) June 22, 2018

One last thing: whether there's a show or not, we're all family now. We're all #clockblockers, baby. https://t.co/W3KKfrnFkj

— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) June 22, 2018

1. This is a sad day for the writers, actors, crew and especially the viewers of Timeless. We are all extremely proud of what we made and know that it was more than just a show for so many of our fans. It became a passion and a cause for many of them. https://t.co/FPbySi7LXZ

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) June 22, 2018

2. We’re proud of the impact @NBCTImeless had on so many people – the students who embraced history as a result of our show, the people who were inspired by our stories of inclusion and acceptance. We saw your tweets and were inspired by you.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) June 22, 2018

3. If NBC is sincere in wanting a 2 hour movie to give much needed closure to our amazing @NBCTimeless fans, we are ready to make it. We don't want the journeys of Lucy, Wyatt, Rufus and the others to end yet. #ClockBlockers

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) June 22, 2018