Shadowhunters

Constantin Films has pulled the plug on ‘Shadowhunters’, its series based on Cassandra Clare’s ‘Mortal Instruments’ YA novel series, after losing its output deal with Netflix.  ‘Shadowhunters’ airs on Freeform, but thanks to a deal with Netflix, Constantin was able to produce the expensive fantasy series.  Without Netflix’s cash, Freeform alone could not afford to continue the series.  The second half of the third season will air in spring 2019 and culminate with a two-hour finale.

In a statement, Freeform announced:

“We are very proud of Shadowhunters, a series that broke new ground in the genre world and became a fan favorite.  However, along with our partners at Constantin, we reached the very difficult decision not to renew the show for a fourth season.  But as big supporters and fans ourselves, Freeform insisted on and championed the filming of a special two-part finale that would give devoted fans a proper ending. The 12 episodes will air in spring 2019. We want to thank our talented creators, producers, cast and crew along with our colleagues at Constantin for their hard work and dedication and to Cassie Clare for her incredible book series. We look forward to the final chapter of this breakthrough drama.”

‘Shadowhunters’ was never a smash hit but was a solid performer averaging around 500,000 live same day viewers.  The last batch of episodes were originally meant to air over the summer but with this cancellation, the series has been pushed to spring 2019 in order to shoot the finale and air the episodes in order without a long break between what was originally the last episode of season three and this new ending.

Ed Decter created the series and served as showrunner for season one after which he was replaced by ‘Smallville’ alumni Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer.  Katherine McNamara stars as the lead character, Clary Fray, who discovers that she comes from a line of demon-killing angels.  The cast also includes Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa and Harry Shum Jr.

Over the course of its run, ‘Shadowhunters’ won two Teen Choice Awards, the GLAAD Award and the MTV Fandom Award.

In 2013, Screen Gems released a film based on the first ‘Mortal Instruments’ book, ‘City of Bones’ but it flopped and crushed any plans for sequels.

Are you a fan of ‘Shadowhunters’?  Are you sad to see it go?  Or are you happy that Freeform is at least wrapping the show up with a proper finale?

Source: The Hollywood Reporter