‘Modern Family’, ‘Gotham’, ‘The Last Man On Earth’, ‘The Originals’ & ‘iZombie’ All Get Renewals!
The renewals were flowing thick and fast last night, as multiple US networks renewed (and cancelled) a number of shows.
It’s good news for comedy fans, as Modern Family closed a 2 season renewal over at ABC, by giving the main 6 actors a salary bump, putting them on around half a million dollars per episode. The network had to work out some tricky financial negotiations with Fox, who make the show, but given it’s ABC’s highest rated comedy series (and 2nd highest rated show on the network), there was definitely a will to keep it around.
“We are beyond thrilled that we get to spend more time with these characters, these amazing actors, our ridiculously-talented writers and our incredible crew – all of whom are like family to us,” commented co-creator Steve Levitan. “And the good kind of family, not the kind that argues with you all the time.”
Also renewed on the comedy side was The Last Man On Earth. Fox picked up Will Forte’s post-apocalyptic series about Phil Miller, who hastily marries fellow survivor Carol (Kristen Schaal), despite him finding her intensely annoying, to start repopulating the planet… Only to discover they aren’t the only 2 survivors after all… The Last Man On Earth was airing on Dave in the UK, but seems to have dropped off their radar recently. Status currently unknown…
Sticking with Fox, they also picked up Gotham for a 4th season. The Batman prequel has been doing strong numbers for the US network, but UK fans have been left high and dry due to some appalling scheduling by Channel 5. The UK channel have confirmed the hold the rights to the series, but for some inexplicable reason, have decided not to air it until some point this Summer…
Over on The CW, we have 2 renewals. First up is The Originals, which now stands alone after The Vampire Diaries concluded its run. The show, which follows the lives of the Klaus Mikaelson and the original vampire family, is another one that’s struggled to find it’s place on UK broadcast. Originally airing on Syfy UK, they dropped after 2 season, leaving it out in the wilderness. Season 3 appeared to buy on Amazon, just after it’s US airing, but Season 4 has yet to appear anywhere. We believe it will pop up on Netflix at some point in the Summer, I just wish they’d do a better deal for the show, so we get Season 5 in a more timely fashion.
Finally we have iZombie, which airs on Netflix UK the day after the US showing. The tale of the medical resident turned zombie will be getting a 4th season from The CW, meaning the US network has picked up 11 shows this time around, renewing all but 2 shows – No Tomorrow and Frequency.
We’ll have more cancellations and renewals over the next few week, so keep checking back, and keep an eye on the UK TV Air Dates page to see when your favourite shows return.
