ABC: Renewed, Axed and Picked Up

ATV Today runs down which ABC shows were renewed, which were cancelled and which pilots the broadcaster picked up for the new season.

RENEWED: ABC renewed quite a few shows for new seasons with fantasy drama Once Upon A Time probably its biggest hit new show wise. The fairy tale drama starring Jennifer Morrison and Ginnifer Goodwin has been a hit with Sunday evening viewers succeeding where the likes of Pan Am and GCB failed and drawing healthy ratings to ABC – and reviews too. The fact ABC gave it a second series was not surprising – it was given that the fantasy drama would be back.

However, certain renewals for Private Practice, Body of Proof and Scandal was only something the three shows could dream off. Private Practice was uncoupled from parent series Grey’s Anatomy this year prompting fears of its impending cancellation followed by speculation over a final season renewal order. As yet we aren’t sure if Private Practice‘s sixth season will be its last or not. Fellow Shonda Rhimes series Scandal was a mid-season drama which ABC is comfortable enough with its performance to give a second outing. Dana Delany and Jeri Ryan drama Body of Proof was certainly seen as a “bubble show” but perhaps it was saved from the axe by its strong international sales.

ABC also renewed medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, Nathan Fillion drama Castle, soapy drama Revenge as well as Happy Endings, Don’t Trust The B—- in Apt 23, Last Man Standing, The Middle, Suburgatory  and Modern Family. Entertainment shows America’s Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars and Wipe Swap were also given new season orders.

AXED: The highly anticipated Charlie’s Angels reboot proved to be something of a damp squid for ABC and was quickly dispatched after just a handful of episodes. Similarly we’ve also known that Christina Ricci drama Pan Am has also been axed for months but ABC has only just confirmed its fate. Word has it though producers could sell the drama to a cable broadcaster but at the moment the 1960s drama is dead.

Paranormal drama The River was written off some time ago given its dire ratings though there were reports Netflix was interested in picking it up. Sunday evening drama GCB had average ratings making it a “bubble show” and as ABC already had several of those it was clear not all of them would survive and unfortunately for GCB it was the one cut. ABC also axed Map Up and Missing as expected.

Picked Up: ABC ordered to series a raft of shows such as Mistresses which is a remake of the British drama, of the same name, which starred Sarah Parish and Shelley Conn. The British version lasted for three seasons with the third especially commissioned to tie up the loose ends. Another remake based on a British series picked up by ABC is Family Tools. The comedy is a remake of the BBC Three series which starred Will Mellor and titled White Van Man. The British version was recently cancelled after its second season because of a drop in ratings.

666 Park Avenue, starring Vanessa Williams, has also been picked up by the broadcaster. The supernatural horror follows a couple who learn their Manhattan Building complex might be possessed by a demonic force. 666 Park Avenue also stars Terry O’Quinn and Rachael Taylor. ABC has also picked up Neighbors (no not a remake of the Australian soap), Last Resort, Malibu County, Nashville, Red Widow and Zero Hour.

Two pilots which didn’t get picked up were Marc Cherry’s Devious Maids which starred daytime queen Susan Lucci and Beauty and the Beast reboot starring Darius Campbell (of UK’s Pop Idol fame) and Christopher Egan. While The CW has picked up its Beauty and the Beast series ABC has opted – for now at least – not to.

[Written by James Ryder and Leanne Bryan]