Counting as the first sci fi TV cancellation of the 2020-21 season, Netflix has scrubbed its mission-to-Mars series Away after only one season. No reason for the cancellation has been offered at this time. The news comes as quite a surprise seeing as the show landed in the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 for three weeks so far, rising as high as the Number 2 slot. Across its first three weeks the show has tallied up nearly 2.8 billion minutes of viewership according to Nielsen estimates, so it is hard to see why Netflix would not want this one to come back for a second season. The streamer makes its decisions based on the cost of the show vs. the subscribers it pulls in, while it also agrees to pay more for each additional season. But it seems unlikely that the increased second season costs would not justify bringing this one back considering its current viewership levels, so it is possible that there was a breakdown in the contract negotiations.
Away is a high-profile series with Hilary Swank in the starring role, and Netflix originals tend to have a decent chance at getting a second season renewal. But several shows have been cancelled just recently, including two genre entries, due to concerns with filming within the COVID restrictions. It’s possible that may have impacted this show as well. There is no word at this time on whether the show will be shopped around, but Netflix usually retains the rights for at least two years, making it difficult for a cancelled show to witch venues.
Away centers around a mission to land on Mars headed up by astronaut Emma Green (Swank). It focuses on the efforts to assure a successful mission as well as the impacts on the families that will be separated during the long journey. It stars Hilary Swank, Josh Charles, Vivian Wu, Mark Ivanir, and Ato Essandoh.
We are still waiting for word on 2019-20 season shows like Netflix’s Cursed, AMC’s Dispatches from Elsewhere, and Hulu’s Castle Rock, so stay tuned for more announcements. You can see the status of all the currently airing, returning, and upcoming sci fi and fantasy shows on our Cancellation Watch Page. And be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
More from CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the ratings developments and the status of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Weekly Roundup posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and keep up with what is airing/streaming each week with our Weekly Listings.
Loved Away…..it figures.?
Not surprising. Away was a dud.