HBO Cancels 70’s Music Drama Vinyl
Things looked like things were going to be okay for HBO’s Vinyl, but sadly it’s not to be, as the 70’s era rock & roll drama has been axed by the US network.
Originally, HBO had picked up the show for a second season, albeit with a new showrunner replacing the outgoing Terence Winter. However, today the network released a statement saying “After careful consideration, we have decided not to proceed with a second season of Vinyl. Obviously, this was not an easy decision. We have enormous respect for the creative team and cast for their hard work and passion on this project.”
The decision apparently had nothing to do with the new creative team, lead by new showrunner Scott Z. Burns, as no scripts had yet been submitted. HBO were disappointed at the underwhelming reception Vinyl had received, given it’s quality and cast, but had originally decided to give it a second season. It seems the more likely culprit for the u-turn is HBO’s new programming chief Casey Bloys, who took over the role in May, wanting to make his own mark on the network.
Vinyl was a drama starring Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire) as Richie Finestra, a New York record exec trying to navigate his company through the turbulent rise of new music genres. Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese were exec producers on the show, and spent 20 years trying to bring it to screen. Sadly it’s now no more. I rather suspect Casey Bloys will be off Scorsese & Jagger’s Christmas card list…
Vinyl aired on Sky Atlantic in the UK.
