Apple TV Plus just cancelled another drama TV show – and I’m not surprised
Shed a few more tears for the show’s demise
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Dear Edward, the emotionally driven drama series onAppleTV Plus, has been cancelled after a single season.
PerThe Hollywood Reporter(THR), the Jason Katims-developed TV show won’t be returning for a second season onApple TV Plus.Dear Edwardbecomes the third Apple TV Plus scripted series to be canned after one season, joiningLittle VoiceandShantaramon the platform’s discarded original programming pile.
Apple hasn’t explained whyDear Edwardwas ended after a single outing. However, with mixed reviews from fans and critics –Dear Edwardholds55% critical and 65% audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes– the weepy plane-crash drama didn’t capture viewers' imaginations. We’ve reached out to Apple for comment, and we’ll report back if we receive a response.
Releasing on Apple TV Plus on February 3 with a three-episode premiere,Dear Edward– based on Ann Napolitano’s book of the same name – tells the tale of Edward Adler, a 12-year-old survivor of a plane crash that kills everyone else on board, including his family. Edward, plus other individuals affected by the tragedy, connect in the immediate and long-term aftermath of the catastrophic event, and help each other to work through their individual and collective trauma.
The season 1 finale, which aired on March 24, set up where a second season would go, providing that Apple renewedDear Edwardfor another installment. Less than one month on from the end of its first season, though,Dear Edward’s fate has been sealed.
Despite its schlocky story beats and somewhat overbearing thematic exploration of grief,Dear Edwardmanaged to sneak its way onto ourbest Apple TV Plus showslist upon arrival. Its cancellation, though, might mean its stay in the aforementioned guide is over before it’s truly begun.
A short-haul flight for another Apple TV drama
It’s rare to see Apple cancel one of its shows after a solitary season. As I mentioned above, Dear Edward is only the third Apple TV Plus original scripted series to be consigned to the scrap heap following its initial 10-episode run (the others being the previously mentionedShantaramandLittle Voice).
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Even more surprisingly, Dear Edward is only the fourth Apple TV Plus drama series to be given the chop by the streaming division’s executive team after one season.Amazing Stories, the Steven Spielberg-created anthology series, is the only other drama show to be cancelled since Apple TV Plus was launched in November 2019.
There are other Apple TV Plus originals that have been dumped after a single season. Comedy-dramaMr. Corman, kids shows includingFraggle Rock: Rock On!andAmber Brown, and numerous docuseries, such asTiny World, have failed to make it to their sophomore years on one of the world’sbest streaming services.
Still, it takes something special for Apple to end one of its TV shows prematurely. In fact, the globally-renowned multi-industry company has only canned 23 series in Apple TV Plus' three-and-a-half year history. That’s discounting the streamer’s miniseries, which only run for a single season anyway. Without factoring its miniseries library into the equation, those 23 cancelled shows only amount to 22% of Apple’s TV Originals lineup since its streaming platform debuted in late 2019.
Considering the amount of money Apple throws at its streaming service and original programming – Apple never discloses exact figures but, judging by each series' production value, it seems like a lot – each show needs to perform well enough among audiences to merit a second season.
Clearly,Dear Edwarddidn’t pull in the viewers necessary to be deemed worthy of renewal. Its cancellation, then, shouldn’t come as a complete shock. This is one TV show that warranted nothing more than a short-haul flight.
For more Apple TV Plus coverage, read ourApple TV Plus review, check out ourTed Lassoseason 3 review, read up on everything worth knowing aboutFoundationseason 2, or find out what thebest Apple TV Plus moviesare.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
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