Cancelled Too Soon: Space Above and Beyond (1995)

Our ongoing look back at sci fi / fantasy TV shows that were cancelled way too soon or pilots that never made it to series.

This space war series joined the FOX schedule at a time when that network was trying to compete with the Big Three broadcasters (ABC, CBS, and NBC) and also when spaced-based shows were performing quite well in syndication with the Star Trek spin-offs and Babylon 5. It came from X-Files alums Glen Morgan and James Wong and it takes place in a future where humans have started to colonize the galaxy but then find themselves in an interstellar war with an alien species known as Chigs. The series focuses on the United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Cavalry 58th Squadron, nicknamed the “Wildcards”, as they attempt to fight back against the advances of the alien enemy.

When the show debuted, it immediately attracted a devoted fanbase but unfortunately it did not draw a broad enough audience to count as a ratings success. Not helping matters was the fact that it was scheduled in the Sunday 7 PM EST timeslot which was typically used for family-friendly fare on ABC and NBC and that competed against ratings powerhouse 60 Minutes on CBS. Since the show was very expensive to produce (around $5 million per episode according to IMDb), FOX ended up cancelling it after only one season. The network was still trying to establish itself, and The X-Files was still a couple of years away from moving from cult status to Top 20 hit. Apparently execs decided that sticking with such an expensive series as Space: Above and Beyond that was not delivering on the ratings side was not the right strategy at that time.

The final episode ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but since the producers had enough notice of the cancellation, they tried to wrap up the story as best they could. The original plan was for the show to follow a five-year arc, but sadly only one year was completed. Fans lobbied for the show, but were unable to convince FOX to keep it going for a second year (foreshadowing what we would later see with Firefly). Space: Above and Beyond has since become a cult favorite and several novelizations followed, but it appears that the full story planned by its creators may never be told.

Buy Space: Above and Beyond on DVD from Amazon.com

Aired: FOX, 1995-96, 1 Season Totaling 23 Episodes

Starring: Lanei Chapman, Kristen Cloke, Joel de la Fuente, James Morrison, Rodney Rowland

Created By: Glen Morgan, James Wong

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