Fans Of ‘The Nevers’ And ‘Minx’ (Among Others) May Never Know How It All Ends As HBO Goes On Another Cancellation Spree
HBO Max has purged another slate of shows from its roster.
Monday, the streamer, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, announced that not only was it formally cancelling shows like The Nevers, a female-led steampunk drama that was set to air the second half of its first season next year, but also HBO Originals like Minx, which had been granted a second year renewal, and Love Life.
As if that weren’t enough, HBO said that those and several other shows, including four seasons of Westworld, would be scrubbed from the service entirely.
The Laura Donnelly and Ann Skelly-led The Nevers, which debuted in Spring 2021, should have aired the back half next year on HBO. According to Variety, it’s possible that the already-finished batch of episodes completed under new showrunner Philippa Goslett, who came on board following the exit of Joss Whedon before the show’s premiere, will air on another platform.
As for Westworld, removing it so soon after its November cancellation may mean that some fans may never get a chance to watch the entire series. Created by husband-and-wife producing duo Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy and produced by J.J. Abrams, the show starred Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Luke Hemsworth, Aaron Paul, Angela Sarafyan and James Marsden.
Minx takes place in 1970s Los Angeles, following its lead character, Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond). Joyce is “an earnest young feminist who joins forces with a low-rent publisher (Jake Johnson) to create the first erotic magazine for women,” according to the show description. Lionsgate Television, which produces the series, is shopping for a new streaming home for its already-produced second series.
Love Life, starring Anna Kendrick and William Jackson Harper aired its second season in late 2021, was not yet renewed for a Season 3.
The bottom line is of course, the bottom line. By cancelling and de-platforming the shows, HBO Max means WB Discovery is able to save money in residuals paid to cast and crews of productions, on top of the money saved by not producing new episodes.