Despite its crazy popularity, why did the streaming giant Netflix remove ‘Shadowhunters’? Will ‘Shadowhunters’ be back with a spin-off?
Voted as the best show of 2018, ‘Shadowhunters’ is an adaptation of “The Mortal Instruments” novel series by Cassandra Clare. The show managed to grab a cult following through its three seasons. However, the ‘Shadowhunters’ network, Freeform, soon announced that the third season would be the last. Two extra episodes were also released to conclude the show.
Highlights —
- Why did Netflix remove ‘Shadowhunters’?
- Is ‘Shadowhunters’ getting a spinoff?
- Petition to save ‘Shadowhunters’
Even though ‘Shadowhunters’ were around for only three seasons, it managed to garner a massive fan following. Fans of the ‘Shadowhunters’ got over 1,00,000 signatures on a Change.org petition to save it from cancellation.
Why did Netflix remove ‘Shadowhunters’?
In an interview with “Deadline”, Freeform’s EVP of Programming and Development, Karey Burke, spoke about the decision to cancel the supernatural drama series. She explained to the website that the decision was purely economical, and led to the end of the Netflix deal with the network’s co-production partner, Germany-based Constantin Film.
Burke recalled how they went back and forth with them but ultimately couldn’t make the economics work. However, they were very happy creatively with it.
Freeform later released a statement too. In the statement, Freeform stated how proud they were of ‘Shadowhunters’ as it broke new ground in the genre world and became a fan-favourite. However, along with their partners at Constantin, they reached the very difficult decision not to renew the show for a fourth season. But as big supporters and fans themselves, they insisted on a special two-part finale to give devoted fans a proper ending.
The final season had twelve episodes as opposed to its regular ten-episode season. The third season of ‘Shadowhunter’s was based on the fourth and fifth books of “The Mortal Instruments”. The two-hour finale episode of the ‘Shadowhunters’ was based on the sixth and final instalment. In an interview to “Metro”, creators Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin also spoke about the cancellation of ‘Shadowhunters’. They told the newspaper how it was Netflix’s decision to remove ‘Shadowhunters’ and not Freeform’s. They recalled how it took them several months to understand what had actually gone on in terms of the contracts and the business, and what had gone awry.
The streaming giant had its international rights which they gave up and also cancelled the show.
“Netflix is the one who had it internationally and they are the ones that cancelled it. Netflix made the decision, so we knew it wasn’t going to go to them”,
Swimmer and Slavkin told “Metro”.
Is ‘Shadowhunters’ getting a spin-off?
Last year, the author of “The Mortal Instruments”, Cassandra Clare, did a Q&A on Tumblr and addressed the rumours of a possible ‘Shadowhunters’ spin-off.
In the Q & A, Clare revealed how she found out that TID had a writer for a pilot script, but couldn’t mention who she was.
“She is really clever and insightful and has worked on fantasy properties before, which I think is so important”.
She clarified that Constantin Films had the rights of the novels for a long time. Hence, this wasn’t in any way related to Freeform’s ‘Shadowhunters’ cancellation. She further added that it is not a spin-off of ‘Shadowhunters’ in any way other than having related source material.
According to sources, a new “The Shadowhunter Chronicles” adaptation with Constantin Films is in the making. Based on “The Infernal Devices” trilogy, the adaptation will be available on BBC Three. However, it is not a ‘Shadowhunters’ spin-off. Cassandra Clare is yet to release a formal confirmation. Constantin Films and BBC Three have not confirmed the news either.
According to sources, a new The Shadowhunter Chronicles adaptation with Constantin Films is in the making. Based on The Infernal Devices trilogy, the adaptation will be available on BBC Three.
Petition to save ‘Shadowhunters’
Even though ‘Shadowhunters’ were around for only three seasons, it managed to garner a massive fan following. Fans of the ‘Shadowhunters’ got over 1,00,000 signatures on a Change.org petition to save it from cancellation.
They further managed to pledge over $9,000 to The Trevor Project, an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the LGTBQ community under 25 years of age. Not just this, they got a plane to fly over Netflix’s headquarters in Los Angeles with a giant #SaveShadowhunters banner dawdling behind. After a successful petition to save ‘Shadowhunters’ and a plane ride, fans went ahead and took out an advert in New York City’s Times Square!
What is your thought about ‘Shadowhunters’ getting cancelled? Should the makers release a spinoff surrounding the drama series? Let us know what you think in the comments box below.
