Lucifer Feels The Bite Of Cancellation; Series To End After Three Seasons
by Erik Amaya
May 14th will be the end for Lucifer.
TVLine reports the Fox series, produced by Warner Bros. Television, has been cancelled as the network continues to cut program after program from its lineup. Early this week, Fox announced the end of beloved comedies Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Last Man on Earth among other series as it reshapes itself into the “New Fox” expected to debut after it leaves the 21st Century Fox fold in 2019.
Based on characters devised by Neil Gaiman for The Sandman and further developed by Mike Carey in his Lucifer series, the television show saw the Prince of Hell abdicate his throne to become the owner of a hot Los Angeles night club. But after a murder occurs on his doorstep, The First of the Fallen decides to become a consultant for the LAPD. The show quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase.
In a Twitter post, star Tom Ellis wrote, “It has been the most amazing experience over the past 3 years playing Lucifer and falling in love with you, the fans. It fills me with great sadness to confirm the rumours that some of you have been asking. Fox has indeed cancelled #lucifer I’m so sorry guys.”
According to the site, the series ranks “10th and eighth among all Fox dramas this TV season, and is down 20 percent in the demo from its sophomore season.” Considering Warner TV ultimately owns the series and recoups its investment in home video and streaming deals, it is easy to see why Fox choose to yank the series.
That ownership situation may come into play again when Fox decides on Gotham’s future. While produced by Warner TV, Fox owns the television rights to Batman characters in perpetuity thanks to a deal made between 20th Century Fox and National Periodicals in the 1960s. But it remains to be seen if that will help or hinder Gotham‘s chances for a fifth season.
Meanwhile, fans of Lucifer are left to grieve.