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ABC goes on cancellation rampage, axes multiple long-running shows

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All good things must come to an end, but that knowledge may not do much to console fans of three particular TV shows. ABC went ax-happy, with Agent Carter, Castle, and Nashville falling victim, along with the short-lived mocumentary series, The Muppets. The network announced the cancellations today, along with the renewals of American Crime, The Real O’Neals, and The Catch.

Of the four canceled shows, Castle had the longest run at eight seasons. The procedural centered on mystery novelist Richard Castle (played by Nathan Fillion) and NYPD homicide detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) as they investigated murders and developed a romance. The move saves the network from seeing if the show can survive Katic’s departure, which was announced last month. The series finale will air on May 16.

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Nashville lasted for a noteworthy four seasons and seemed like it may survive into a fifth, prior to ABC’s announcement. Starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere as country superstars, the drama looked at the ups and downs of the musicians’ careers and personal lives. The final episode is scheduled for May 25.

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The Muppets, a grown-up take on the beloved creatures from the mind of Jim Henson, was cut after just one season. Showing a behind the scenes look at a TV show starring the iconic characters — a la The Office and 30 Rock — the series never seemed to gain traction, even with a train of celebrity guest stars like Dave Grohl.

Marvel’s Agent Carter won over critics but not the large audience that it needed to avoid being axed. The superhero series ran for two seasons and followed Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) as she led the double-life of a secret agent in the 1940s. Season 2 had already wrapped, with the final episode airing on March 1. Given that Netflix has found success with other Marvel characters, there are already calls for the streaming network to save the series.

Viewers may or may not be consoled by today’s renewals, which will bring American Crime into its third season, and both The Real O’Neals and The Catch into their second. We can’t blame any fans who need a little time to grieve — or start online petitions. RIP, Agent Carter, Castle, and Nashville.

Updated 5/13/2016 by Ryan Waniata: Added another cancellation in ABC series The Muppets.

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Stephanie Topacio Long
Stephanie Topacio Long
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Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
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